Latest news with #VictorPinchukFoundation
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hitler wanted to kill me because I'm Jewish. Putin wants to kill me because I'm Ukrainian
Editor's Note: The following is a translated transcript of the address delivered by Roman Shvartsman, the chairman of the Odesa Association of Jews and a Holocaust survivor, at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) Special Gathering hosted by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 'Ladies and gentlemen, A month ago, the German Bundestag commemorated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. I had the opportunity to speak there as someone who lived through oppression, brutal violence, and endless suffering during World War II. I told them: (Adolf) Hitler wanted to kill me because I am Jewish. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin wants to kill me because I am Ukrainian. You swore: 'Never again.' This 'never again' has arrived. If you are serious, you must support Ukraine differently than you have before. Even if you have already done a lot, we now need action. I don't need to tell you about the suffering of Jews and Ukrainians under German occupation. Babyn Yar is widely known today as a symbol of this abuse, but there were around 2,000 such sites in Ukraine. People in the West know little about this. These were ordinary people carrying out shootings, beatings, burnings, and mass killings. And those who survived the war often returned to their civilian lives, undisturbed. Germany now does a lot to remember. 'Never again' accompanies every memorial service, but this 'never again' is missing a second part. After the unprecedented murders, after humanity stared into the abyss of National Socialism, simply saying 'never again' is not enough. 'Never again' needs a second part: 'Never again' defenseless victims. 'Never again' crimes against humanity. This is a lesson the world must learn from the horrors of the 20th century. The UN Charter enshrines this commitment, yet human rights are trampled every day, borders are forcibly redrawn, and entire nations are threatened. We (Ukraine) are a country under attack from our large neighbor for 11 years. The war has not lasted three years, but 11. Russia wants to conquer and destroy us as an independent state. We are bombed day and night, our energy system is destroyed, and our culture is under attack. There is real terror and the killing of civilians in Russian-occupied territories. And why? Because we want our freedom. Because we want to be part of a free Europe, not a Russian colony. Many countries have pledged their support. At the United Nations, 141 countries condemned the Russian invasion and called for the withdrawal of Putin's forces. We were hardly ready for war, but the war continued, and people kept dying. We were told that time had not run out. But what was that time when we hardly received any weapons? The time after the first Russian invasion was not used. Where was the military support from Germany, which emphasizes 'never again?' When Putin gathered his troops around us, when he said we were 'Little Russia,' when he announced he wanted to divide the world into zones of influence again, most countries refused to believe it. They were comfortable in their prosperous societies, enjoying cheap Russian gas, and denying that it could ever be their turn. While defense spending in Europe was cut, the American people were paying for Europe's security. We shouldn't be surprised when the man who won the election told Americans: 'We will not do it anymore. Europeans have to defend themselves.' I think we must care for the democratic world together — Ukraine, the European Union, and the United States. But now the oldest and most powerful democracy in the world has elected a leader who is turning everything upside down. Victims are being labeled as criminals. We, Ukrainians, were shocked to see (U.S. President Donald) Trump negotiating with Putin as if nothing had happened. And we, the occupied, are told we should never have started this war. We cannot understand what the American president says and writes. But Europe, with its 450 million citizens and powerful economic space, must finally realize that the era of comfort and prosperity is over. Freedom is not free. Perhaps now we have Munich in 1938, the Hitler-Stalin Pact, and Yalta. If we allow this to happen, the war will not end with Putin conquering Ukraine. If Russia is not stopped in Ukraine, the threat of war for all of Europe will grow. That is why I tell my European friends: the war will come to you. Just as the calculations didn't work in Munich, they won't work this time if you abandon Ukraine. You are poorly armed. You cannot defend yourselves without Ukraine. That is why I tell you: Ukrainians are protecting you every day, year after year, for years. This is also your front, which Putin has opened in Eastern Europe. Finally, realize this. Have the courage now, or your free societies will also perish. Dear guests, I am an old man. I was in the ghetto. I looked the devil in the eye. I tell the democratic world: don't be afraid of him. You give too much power to evil. If you stand together and overcome your fear, you can defeat the devil. Thank you for listening.' Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Submit an Opinion Read also: After 3 years of war in Ukraine, sometimes I think: Stop the planet, I want to get off We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When your 'ass is burning, you start to move faster' — Lithuanian minister urges Europe to step up defense
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene urged European countries on Feb. 24 to "move faster" in strengthening their security in the light of recent geopolitical shifts. Speaking in the context of Russian aggression in Ukraine and Europe's need to boost its defense capabilities, Sakaliene said, "When you feel that your own ass is burning, you start to move faster." "So I do hope that we will start to move faster in the next few months," Lithuania's defense chief said at the YES conference event held in Kyiv by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation on Feb. 24, the third anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion. The comments come as European leaders and other partners gather in Kyiv to devise a common strategy for Ukraine's security and pledge further assistance. The stability of the pro-Ukraine coalition grows uncertain as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies diplomatic outreach to Moscow while sidelining Ukraine and Europe, casting doubt on his commitment to Ukrainian security. "We need to strengthen our transatlantic bond. Even though we are a dysfunctional family, a divorce is not an option," Sakaliene said at the event, which was attended by the Kyiv Independent. In contrast, Lithuania's former foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, said at the conference that "Europe has to understand we are in this fight most likely alone, there's us and Ukrainians and no one else. We pick up this battle or lose." "Is Europe actually alive? If it still hasn't woken up, what's happening with the patient?" Landsbergis said. Lithuania's former diplomacy chief urged Europe to confiscate the roughly $200 billion in frozen assets frozen in European accounts and deploy peacekeepers on the ground in Ukraine. "The only question that remains is whether we ask Putin for permission. It's not a joke. Leaders in Europe say, 'We will send troops if (Russian President Vladimir) Putin allows it.' This is the mentality, and we need to break it," Landsbergis said. Calls for confiscating frozen Russian assets and taking more decisive steps against Russia were also supported by businessman and oligarch Viktor Pinchuk, the host of the conference. "Europe needs to completely change its understanding of this moment and do something simple but revolutionary—use $300 billion frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, increase the military budget at least to 3%, spend much more money on supporting Ukraine and your own defense, send soldiers to Ukraine, and take Ukraine into the EU now, not later," Pinchuk said at the event. "This is the right response to this moment. You are not just witnesses to this moment; you are participants." Read also: As Trump and Moscow align their vision, battle to stabilize Donetsk front rests on a knife edge We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boris Johnson backs Trump's deal on Ukraine's natural resources
Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson voiced support for the U.S.-proposed deal on Ukraine's natural resources during an event in Kyiv on Feb. 24. "The deal should be signed," Johnson said, speaking at the YES conference event held in Kyiv by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation on Feb. 24, the third anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion. "It commits the U.S. to a free and sovereign Ukraine. A continued American support is well worth the price for Ukraine." Ukrainian officials said earlier the same day that negotiations on the deal, which would entrench U.S. interests in Ukraine's resources, are in their final stages. Despite pressure from Washington, President Volodymyr Zelensky has been reluctant to sign the initial drafts of the deal as they lacked security commitments for Ukraine and because the $500 billion demanded by Washington vastly outnumbered the $100 billion provided under the previous U.S. administration. The initial White House proposal reportedly sought a 50% interest in Ukraine's natural resources, including critical minerals, oil, and gas, as well as critical infrastructure and ports. Zelensky said Ukraine is not ready to "split 50/50 without knowing what's ahead." Johnson compared the deal to the World War II-era lend-lease deal, emphasizing that the U.S. imposed a harsh deal for the U.K., which "gave up a lot" and had to pay the U.S. back until 2006. "I think Trump is trying to show Republicans that he's got something. The tragedy is he's been listening for too long to Tucker Carlson, who pedals the Russian propaganda," the former British prime minister said. "Ukraine will win. I remain defiantly optimistic about the chances of this country. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is going to fail, Ukraine is going to succeed." Johnson was critical of Europe's unwillingness to confiscate the roughly $300 billion in frozen Russian assets, of which roughly two-thirds are held in European accounts. "Who in Europe in the past two years has been talking about these billions? Why haven't we been hearing from European leaders about $300 billion?" he said. "We only talk about it in the rooms like this, at conferences. There's not enough political will to do it." While hesitant to confiscate the funds outright, the G7 members pledged a $50 billion loan for Ukraine covered by proceeds from the immobilized Russian assets. Johnson backed the idea of putting British troops on the ground, saying it is about showing Putin who is in charge and asserting Ukraine's sovereignty as a free country that "can choose which clubs to join." "Putin says to Ukraine (that) you can't have foreign boots on the ground. By rejecting that, we show who's in charge of Ukraine. That's all it's about. You make visible the fact of Ukrainian sovereignty and independence." The comments come as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed readiness to deploy British peacekeepers to Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire. The Telegraph previously reported that Starmer's plan includes deploying 30,000 peacekeepers in Ukraine in case of a ceasefire, who would be backed by U.S. firepower. Read also: As Trump and Moscow align their vision, battle to stabilize Donetsk front rests on a knife edge We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's special Ukraine envoy explains division of roles in US negotiations to end war
US President Donald Trump has assigned roles to officials in charge of preparing "peace talks" to end the Russo-Ukrainian war. Source: General Keith Kellogg at the Ukrainian Lunch organised by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, a Ukrainian charitable organisation, at the Munich Security Conference, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kellogg stated that he is involved in this process despite rumours of his removal spreading after a recent conversation between the US President and Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin. After his conversation with Putin, Trump announced a negotiating team that included his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, but did not mention Kellogg. Kellogg clarified that he is not involved in the Russian issue. The general explained that Witkoff works more on the US-Russian line while he works on the US-Ukrainian-European line. However, General Kellogg stressed that he would not make any decisions, as his task was to lay the groundwork for Trump's decisions. "One of the reasons I'm here is to reach out to the Allies and we say, 'What do you think?'. And then I bring it back to the person that does make the decision. Keith Kellogg does not make the decisions, it's the president of the United States. I will never move into his territory of decision-making", he explained. Kellogg also stated that he believes Trump's work is effective, adding that they had done more in the last 30 days to end the war than the previous administration had in three years. Notably, in his speech, the general did not mention Ukraine's victory or superiority, focusing instead on the end of the war. Background: On Saturday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that NATO should form the foundation of security guarantees, though he acknowledged there is an alternative. In Europe, discussions are ongoing about actions that could take place without the United States. Specifically, Germany may begin supplying Taurus missiles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces after the country's elections. Support UP or become our patron!
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US does not envision Europeans participating in peace talks with Russia
The US position on the peace talks foresees Ukraine's participation, but other European representatives are not included. Source: General Keith Kellogg at the Ukrainian Lunch organised by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, a Ukrainian charity organisation, at the Munich Security Conference, as reported by European Pravda Details: Answering the question about the participation of Ukraine and Europe in future peace talks, he repeatedly assured that Ukraine will and should be a participant in the negotiations. Quote from Keith Kellogg: "The United States has never said that Ukrainians should be excluded from the discussion." Details: However, Kellogg did not mention the participation of representatives of other European states. When asked by the host of the meeting to explain what this meant, Kellogg said that he was a "realist." Although he was not against the participation of European politicians in the negotiations, he did not consider it necessary to involve those who were "part of the problem". Quote from Keith Kellogg: "Recall Minsk-2 – there were a bunch of European leaders there, and they failed terribly." Background: This position is completely different from the position of the EU countries, which state that a peace agreement without Europe is not an option. Keith Kellogg explained the division of roles in the US negotiations to end the war. Support UP or become our patron!
