Latest news with #DenysMykhailiuk
Free Malaysia Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Neutrality difficult in unstable world, says Ukraine's acting ambassador
Denys Mykhailiuk, Ukraine's acting ambassador to Malaysia, says 'neutrality' requires nations to take balanced, visible and consistent actions, including through condemnation when norms are violated. PETALING JAYA : In today's fractured geopolitical landscape, the idea of neutrality is facing unprecedented challenges. As the war in Ukraine drags on and tensions escalate in Asia, many smaller or non-aligned countries, including Malaysia, are left to confront an uncomfortable truth: neutrality may no longer be enough. 'To be really neutral is very difficult in the world, which is not stable,' says Denys Mykhailiuk, Ukraine's acting ambassador to Malaysia. 'Strategic neutrality is typically reserved for strong states that can defend their sovereignty. For many in the Global South, what is described as neutrality is more accurately a form of non-alignment,' he said. Malaysia, traditionally proud of its non-aligned foreign policy, continues to engage with all parties. Yet experts suggest this approach demands closer scrutiny in an era where global powers are increasingly acting outside international norms. Munira Mustaffa. 'Neutrality represents a deliberate political stance of impartiality,' says Munira Mustaffa, executive director of Chasseur Group. 'Silence, conversely, often reflects passive non-engagement.' ISIS foreign policy head Thomas Daniel echoed this sentiment, saying that 'many countries use 'neutrality' or 'non-alignment' to avoid taking positions on issues they perceive as harming their national interests.' Thomas Daniel. Malaysia has the right to stay neutral—but should it? According to Mykhailiuk, neutrality is not simply about not taking sides. It requires balance, visibility and consistent actions, including condemnation when norms are violated. Without this, what is referred to as 'neutrality' risks becoming 'complicity'. Mykhailiuk warns that failure to respond to Russia's war will send a global signal. 'If the aggressor comes out unpunished or rewarded by the new territorial requirements, it will definitely (provoke a) superpower to act on its own discretion, using the threat of force or force itself in relations with the smaller states,' he said. 'Imperial thinking' in the 21st century This concern is especially relevant in an age of rising imperial ambitions. While Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's assertive stance in the South China Sea differ in method, both reflect a common mindset: historical entitlement as justification for modern-day dominance. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China had no legal basis to claim historic rights within the so-called Nine-Dash Line. The ruling was labelled 'ill-founded' by China, and ignored. 'My perception is that China's actions involve sustained coercion and grey-zone tactics, while Russia's strategy is outright aggression,' says Munira. 'But for smaller post-colonial states like Malaysia or Ukraine, both present serious sovereignty challenges: they must navigate between protecting sovereignty and avoiding confrontation with powers that view international law as secondary to their historical claims.' Malaysia is no stranger to the consequences of great power impunity. The 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine, which killed 298 people including 43 Malaysians, remains a wound in the national memory. Russia's 2015 veto at the UN Security Council blocked efforts to establish an international tribunal. 'Deepening ties with Russia without addressing this tragedy sends a troubling signal,' says Munira. 'It suggests that such actions can be overlooked. Any perception that MH17 is being sidelined would undermine confidence in international accountability mechanisms.' This issue cuts deeper when viewed alongside Malaysia's expanding diplomatic and trade ties with Russia, including support for BRICS membership and a recent increase in direct cooperation. 'The balance becomes increasingly complex,' said Munira, pointing to contradictions between Malaysia's humanitarian support for Ukraine and its diplomatic silence on Russian aggression. This imperial logic, where great powers act as though smaller nations exist for absorption or domination, can be useful for some countries, and it is increasingly visible. Beyond Russia and China, other global powers are also demonstrating imperial tendencies. 'The risk of 'imperial thinking' is reinforced by the recent behaviour of—not just Russia—but also China, the United States and Israel,' says Daniel. These trends are particularly worrying for smaller nations that rely on international law as their first line of defence. Asean's role This makes not only the Malaysian position vital, but Asean's as well, being an organisation of countries that want to be important players in the region. The Asean Charter is clear about provisions like the peaceful settlements of disputes through dialogue and consultation, the renunciation of aggression, and upholding international law. However, as Munira explains, Asean's recent diplomatic record has been mixed. Only four of ten Asean members attended the 2024 Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland; with only two signing the communiqué. 'This reflects Asean's broader concern that peace efforts must consider multiple perspectives,' she says. Nevertheless, there is space for leadership. 'With over 600 million people and growing markets, Asean can become an important trade and investment partner for Ukraine,' says Mykhailiuk. Not all support has to come with weapons. Malaysia has provided humanitarian support to Ukraine, including medical supplies and essential equipment. In his recent interview with Bernama TV, Mykhailiuk called for more assistance, particularly for post-conflict demining, rescue operations, and energy infrastructure. For Malaysia and other middle powers, the war in Ukraine is not someone else's problem. It is a test of whether the rules that protect the weak from the strong still apply—and whether countries like Malaysia will help uphold them. 'Weakness is temptation,' Mykhailiuk warns. 'So be strong.' Anastasiya Yushchenko is an undergraduate at the City St George's, University of London, and an intern at FMT.
Barnama
24-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Ukraine Aims Information Technology Trade Expansion With Malaysia
Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia Denys Mykhailiuk featuring on Bernama TV's programme, The Nation. By Nur Elysa Amirah Suhaimi & Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Ukraine is looking to expand its trade footprint in Malaysia by promoting its information technology (IT) sector, including digital and artificial intelligence solutions, as a key driver of future economic cooperation between the two countries. Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia, Denys Mykhailiuk, said that while Malaysia and Ukraine have traditionally traded commodities such as palm oil and sunflower oil, the time has come to diversify into high-tech industries, without sidelining existing trade in oils. bootstrap slideshow 'Trading in services is very important now, and we are one of the biggest countries in IT, so we hope that our experience and our digital products might be useful for Malaysians to become a digital nation as well. 'We know for a fact that the Ukrainian IT and artificial intelligence sectors are definitely admirable, and we have also seen that they have attracted Malaysian interest,' he said during an interview on Bernama TV's programme The Nation, titled Bridging Continents: Malaysia–Ukraine Relations in Focus, on Tuesday. He also mentioned that discussions have already been initiated with relevant Malaysian ministries, including potential areas of collaboration in innovation and cybersecurity. 'For the digital products, we are talking to the Ministry of Digitalisation, and the police as well, because it is a slightly different system in Ukraine. 'In Ukraine, the Ministry of Digitalisation has the aegis authority over all other agencies, whereas here, you have some kind of competition, in which every ministry is responsible for its part,' he said. Acknowledging structural differences between the two countries, Mykhailiuk said these challenges do not hinder business-to-business (B2B) ties, which he described as strong and promising.
Barnama
24-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Ukraine Appeals To Malaysia To Strengthen Humanitarian Assistance
Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia, Denys Mykhailiuk featuring on Bernama TV's programme, The Nation. By Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi & & Nur Elysa Amirah Suhaimi KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Ukraine has appealed to Malaysia to strengthen its humanitarian assistance, citing urgent needs for medical supplies, rescue equipment and post-conflict recovery support. The Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia, Denys Mykhailiuk, said the most vital needs at this time also include rescue operations, post-conflict demining, and forensic investigations into alleged war crimes, as well as engineering and energy equipment. bootstrap slideshow "We need everything, but what is needed for immediate needs is something for the emergency response, field hospitals, bloodstopping equipment, surgical equipment and engineering and energy equipment. 'Malaysian manufacturing is very much in need. To rebuild the infrastructure and bridges and remove the rubble, we need excavators, bulldozers, trucks, and other heavy machinery. "We also need significant international assistance. If Malaysia can participate, it would be nice," he said. Mykhailiuk was met after appearing on Bernama TV's programme 'The Nation, Bridging Continents: Malaysia & Ukraine Relations In Focus', hosted by Nadiah Abdul Latif, here on Tuesday. On February 2023, the Malaysian government – through the Health Ministry (MoH) – contributed medical aid worth RM227,984 to the Ukraine government, consisting of medicine such as Levothyroxine Sodium 100 mcg tablets, Fentanyl Citrate 50mcg/millilitre (ml) in 2ml injections, Amikacin 250mg/ml in 2ml injections and Propofol 10mg/ml injection. Mykhailiuk added that Ukraine envisioned Malaysia playing a pivotal role as an early partner in its fast recovery plan to rebuild national infrastructure once the conflict ends.
