Minsk agreements gave Ukraine time to create the Armed Forces – Viktoriia Syumar 

Only facts:

The Minsk agreements did not provide for territorial losses. Neither Crimea nor Donbas. On the contrary, they were to be returned peacefully. Where is the betrayal?

The Minsk agreements provided for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Donbas. And Putin violated it. Where is the betrayal?

And who did not want to fulfill the Minsk agreements? Not Ukraine. The Kremlin wanted to get rid of them, not Ukraine. they kept Russia in line, not Ukraine.

It was the Minsk agreements that demonstrated to the whole world that Putin is not negotiable, and this is a strong move by Kyiv. Where is the betrayal?

The Minsk agreements gave Ukraine the most precious thing – time. Time to create a modern NATO-style army. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, which last year proved to be able to defend the country," Syumar listed.

"And this is a completely different army than the one that was cut up and sold for nothing (equipment and tanks), destroyed (missiles and shells) and simply brought to the brink by the Minister of Defense, a Russian citizen Lebedev, and previous governments. Do you remember the barefoot and naked battalions of guys that were formed from the Maidan, mostly volunteers, because there was zero money in the state treasury? I remember," writes Victoria Syumar.

She states that in 2019, the new government received a modern NATO army with unique Ukrainian developments – the Vilkha artillery system and Neptune missiles, Bohdana self-propelled howitzers, Skif and Corsar anti-tank guided missiles, and more.

"Yes. It took time to create this. And we won it, thanks to the Minsk agreements. For all five years, together with our partners, we have been insisting on the withdrawal of Russian troops. We have gained diplomatic support, built an army and united society with national consciousness – yes, language, faith, culture," the MP emphasizes.

"This also took time. The Minsk agreements gave us a chance to avoid a major war. And we are talking about hundreds of thousands of lives saved... And more. Thanks to the Minsk agreements, Ukraine was growing up, and democracy was being established in the country. And Ukraine held fair and just elections, thanks to which the sixth president was elected," believes Syumar.

"Therefore, the 'treasonous Minsk agreements' is a primitive cliché, which is very similar to another cliché recently loved by comedians: ‘Because Putin will attack’. Many people laughed. Now it's not funny. This cliché would definitely be worth rethinking in a country with 20% of the occupied territory and so many victims and destruction. And the betrayal should probably be looked for elsewhere. Maybe where Lieutenant Bakanov is?" summarizes Victoria Syumar.