According to her, Washington should resume diplomatic work in the Ukrainian capital as soon as possible, especially given all the challenges of the war.
Ukraine will definitely win the war it has won Russia. And not only Ukrainians themselves believe in this, but also all their international partners.
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Jovanovich said this during a conference at the Atlantic Council. She noted that the visit of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Minister Lloyd Austin to Kyiv sent a “very good signal”.
“And we must help Ukraine in the humanitarian sphere, help in the economic sphere. But the most important thing now is military aid. It needs to be strengthened and sent more, “Jovanovich said.
She also noted that the United States should resume the embassy in the Ukrainian capital as soon as possible. At the same time, she praised the decision to appoint Bridget Brink as US Ambassador. Jovanovic noted that Brink knows the region very well and will be able to cope with the challenges she will have to deal with in the face of Russian aggression. Jovanovich also explained why the United States has been delaying the return of the embassy in Kyiv for so long, when other Western countries have already returned their diplomats to the Ukrainian capital.
administrations, both democratic and republican, have learned their lesson. This is a big risk. And anyone who recklessly attacks him will be punished, “the former ambassador said, recalling the 2012 assassination of the US ambassador to Libya. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other members of the diplomatic mission were killed in a raid on the US consulate in Benghazi.
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However, Jovanovich expressed confidence that the US embassy will soon return to Kyiv. She admitted that American diplomats may first start working in Lviv and then gradually transfer things to the Ukrainian capital. In her opinion, this is important from a symbolic point of view, but not only.
“It is very important to have a fully formed team in the embassy headed by an ambassador. Especially in Ukraine, “Jovanovich stressed.
Asked about the outcome of the war in Russia, the former US ambassador said he was convinced that Ukraine would win in the long run. However, given the poor training and dubious success of the Russian army, Jovanovich hopes that in the short term on the battlefield, the Ukrainian army will also win. The former US ambassador also refused to answer questions about the territorial sacrifices Ukrainians should make for peace.
“I think the Ukrainians themselves will decide. They are defending their country, protecting their families, their homes and their freedom. And frankly, they are fighting for our freedom. Therefore, we must help them as much as possible. But only they decide which victims to make, “Jovanovich said.
She also described how much Vladimir Putin has changed during his time in power. According to the former US ambassador to Ukraine, the Russian autocrat has changed a lot in his rhetoric and actions.
“Looking back on Putin when he first became president, he quickly turned the oligarchs into their wallets. And that's all they were. But Russia was still developing then. There was civil society, public organizations, free media. Can you imagine? There was a free press in Russia. And then gradually he created the society we see today. But even so, we see thousands of Russians leaving Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Because they are afraid of what will happen next in their country. They are worried about their safety, “Jovanovich said.
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She also noted how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has changed since the Russian invasion began on February 24. According to her, at first it was difficult for him to work in office. Fighting corruption and reform are already very difficult tasks. And Zelensky, like his team, was a newcomer to Ukrainian politics. Therefore, it was difficult for his administration because it did not understand how the Ukrainian government works.
“And then it happened on February 24. I think he was the right person at the right time. He was able to consolidate Ukrainian society, have a very good dialogue with it and even very successfully reflect it on the international arena. When he delivered a speech in Congress, he successfully recalled important episodes for Americans, such as Pearl Harbor. But he also trolled us, pushing us to do more. He manages to keep this delicate balance, “Jovanovich said.
