Former Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko told VOA during a recent visit to Washington that he has held meetings with international partners, calling on them to neither trust nor be afraid of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Poroshenko said there are several things needed for Ukraine's victory over Russia: weapons and financial assistance to Ukraine, stricter sanctions on Russia, the creation of a global anti-Putin coalition, and Ukrainian membership in NATO.
During his visits, Poroshenko said he had meetings on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon and State Department and participated in an International Democratic Union forum. The conference, which brought together leaders of democratic parties from many countries, awarded Poroshenko with the IDU Bush-Thatcher Award for Freedom.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
The White House has requested almost $38 billion in new funding from Congress to support Ukraine. After meeting with members of Congress, what are your impressions of Congress' willingness to continue providing financial and military support to Ukraine?
We received positive signals about bipartisan support. We had meetings with senators from both parties — representatives of the Ukrainian Caucus — who delivered the messages that Ukraine is the top priority for the United States - the Congress, the administration, and, most importantly, the American people.
First of all, we talked about weapons supply. I returned from Kherson one week ago, and we were among the first who came to the city after its liberation. A few days before, we were near Bakhmut. [The place of heavy fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces.] We know exactly what the soldiers need. It is the long-range artillery system HIMARS with a range of up to 300 kilometers, which allows (Ukraine to attack) Russian ammunition storages and headquarters with high accuracy, while remaining in a safe position. It is a game-changer for us.
Second, is fighter jets. It is not an offensive but a defensive weapon that would help us to gain air dominance and to provide defense for the Ukrainian troops.
Third, and probably the most important, are the air defenses. Ukrainian armed forces demonstrated a very high efficiency using air defense systems during missile and drone attacks on the critical energy infrastructure. It was 100%: 18 drones were launched and 18 drones were liquidated. Our American partners were impressed.
We received an agreement that the quantity and variety of air defense systems will be increased, including THAAD [Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or anti-ballistic missile defense systems].
The next position is fighting against drones and radio-electronic warfare systems. American drones, including attack drones, are seriously improving the combat capability of Ukraine because this is a different type of war. It is a war of long-range, high-accuracy artillery; the war attack drones. It is the war of air defense. Our most crucial task is to protect the critical energy infrastructure, including generators and converters, to minimize the results of Putin's attack on civilian objects.
Next are the sanctions. We shouldn't only sanction oil or individuals. We should block all Russian export that uses commercial fleet. Extraterritorial sanctions are our top priority. We should stop the billion dollars Putin receives from the civilized world each day. At least half of this money goes to kill Ukrainians. Our partners fully understand that.
Next, we need to create a global anti-Putin coalition. ... We should not allow Putin to weaponize energy, winter, food, refugees or anything else.
Another important point is bringing justice. … Justice means that Putin and his circle of military criminals would be in The Hague, behind bars. That`s why we should create an international tribunal within the G-7 group of nations or the EU for the international recognition of the war crimes of Russia.
The most important thing we raised is Ukrainian membership in NATO in the future. I want to deliver the message that we cannot finish the war without it and guarantee global or European security. Putin will use this time to renew the combat capability of the Russian armed forces. We expect the U.S. leadership in this process. Without NATO membership for Ukraine, there would be no peace in Europe.
How much would the ability and willingness of the Ukrainian armed forces to attack military targets on Russian territory change the calculus, militarily and politically?