Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea: "Russia Intends to Destroy Ukraine"

"Expert Analysis Blaming Ukraine Far-Right for War Reflects Lack of Knowledge on Ukraine Reality"

Dmytro Ponomarenko, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Korea, gave a lecture on the 2nd at the Samik Hall of the Asia Center, Seoul National University.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Woo-seok] Dmytro Ponomarenko, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Korea, criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the 2nd, saying it is "an attempt to destroy the country called Ukraine and incorporate it into Russia to restore the empire."

At a lecture held at the Samik Hall of the Asia Center at Seoul National University on the same day, Ambassador Ponomarenko began by saying, "As you know from the news, our country is going through a difficult time right now."

He stated, "Ukraine has existed as a nation with its own unique history, culture, and language since the medieval period, even before Moscow and Russia existed," and added, "Russia claims that such a Ukrainian nation does not exist and that the history belongs to Russia."

He continued, "The image of a neighboring country claiming the unique clothing and food of a nation as their own would be familiar to Koreans," indirectly referring to China's 'Hanbok and Kimchi controversies.'

Ambassador Ponomarenko said, "Ukraine is an essential target for Russian imperialism, and the revival of 'Greater Russia' that President Putin dreams of is impossible without Ukraine," and pointed out, "What Putin aims to achieve through the war in Ukraine is not Russia's security or the protection of Russians in Ukraine, but to destroy the country called Ukraine and incorporate it into Russia to restore the empire."

The ambassador also criticized some claims from Korean academia regarding the Ukraine-Russia war. He said, "Since arriving in Korea, I have often encountered so-called expert analyses that follow Russia's propaganda logic, which claims that the conflict in Ukraine since 2014 was caused by Ukrainian far-right nationalism," and added, "This shows a lack of knowledge about the reality in Ukraine."

He further explained, "After the pro-Russian regime collapsed due to the 2014 Euromaidan movement, pro-Russian parties entered the parliament in large numbers in the subsequent elections, but far-right groups received less than 5% of the vote," and questioned, "Is this far-right nationalism?"

Regarding the claim that Ukraine provoked Russia by pursuing membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), he rebutted, "Before Russia's attack in 2014, Ukraine was a neutral country," and asked, "What would Korea do if a militarily much stronger country with nuclear weapons invaded part of its territory?"

Ambassador Ponomarenko expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank Koreans for the warmth and solidarity they have shown to Ukraine. Koreans understand what it means to fight for their country and independence," and emphasized, "Democracy and freedom are worth fighting for with one's life."