GENEVA – A senior Ukrainian diplomat has issued a stark warning against any form of appeasement toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the ongoing deadly strikes on Ukraine as evidence of his unwavering commitment to conflict. Speaking in Geneva, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, Yevheniia Filipenko, urged allies for continued and strengthened support amid the enduring war.
Sunday saw Russia carry out its largest aerial assault on Ukraine’s power grid in almost three months, a calculated attempt, Filipenko said, to “plunge Ukraine into darkness and cold.” The strikes come as the conflict nears its 1,000th day, illustrating, she argued, Putin’s clear lack of desire for peace. “These attacks demonstrate that Putin doesn’t want peace. He wants war,” she declared.
Filipenko spoke out against emerging calls for negotiations, cautioning that any such initiatives could be interpreted by Putin as signs of weakness. Without naming specific figures, she referenced criticisms aimed at German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who recently held a controversial phone conversation with Putin, which some fear signals diminishing Western unity.
In a notable policy development, the Biden administration has approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-made weapons for deeper strikes into Russian territory. While the Kremlin has denounced this as a dangerous escalation, Filipenko stressed that it is critical not to be intimidated. “We should not be afraid of Russia’s threats,” she emphasized. “Instead, we should take decisive actions to counter the threats coming from Russian aggression.”
The diplomat called for enhanced air defenses and urged intensified diplomatic isolation of Russia. Since the invasion began in February 2022, Filipenko and her allies have actively sought to undermine Moscow’s influence in international institutions. She noted key successes, including the prevention of Russian officials from securing around 40 significant positions within the United Nations.
Despite some decline in humanitarian aid compared to 2022, Filipenko dismissed concerns over further reductions, even with the upcoming U.S. administration change. “It’s too early to be scared,” she remarked, expressing faith in continued American solidarity with Ukraine, driven by the steadfast support of the American public.