Ukraine’s example influences Europe’s moral change – officer Illienko

Andriy Illienko, Svoboda battalion officer in the National Guard of Ukraine, stated this on Espreso.

“It’s not really about Western countries not wanting Russia to fail. It's more about how they define Russia's defeat and what it should look like. When the major invasion started, most Western countries agreed that Ukraine shouldn't lose. Back in 2014, they did not, and Ukraine had to prove to many politicians that it was Russia invading, not just an internal conflict,” he said. 

According to Ilienko, they gave Ukraine weapons with a plan to help Ukraine not lose.

“We can't say Western countries all agree on how Russia should be defeated. This is why there are delays in getting weapons. The issue is that after 1945, the richest European countries had a long period of peaceful and comfortable lives without wars. They don't want to accept that this era is ending and the war in Ukraine matters a lot more than just a fight between Ukraine and Russia,” the officer notes. 

He stressed that this war is global, just like the challenges it presents.

“A new time is starting, and how fast these countries react and overcome these problems will determine how soon they can go back to a good life. They have to understand that Russia will keep up its aggressive behavior, and this won't change suddenly. The process of approving new types of weapons takes a long time because of political discussions. This is very frustrating for us, Ukrainians,” he added. 

In his view, it's really hard for people in Ukraine to accept that Ukrainians are paying with their lives while peaceful nations are taking such a long time to make decisions.

“I think the West is also changing in this sense. I believe that Ukraine's bravery, faith in good, and the determination to fight against evil are influencing a moral change in Europe. I really want to believe in this. I think that processes like disarmament and feeling safe are less likely now, and Europe is waking up to the values that defined it. It’s happening before our eyes. Even countries like Germany, which used to be close to Russia, are making significant changes. They've stopped relying on Russian gas, they're giving tanks to Ukraine, and they're even ready to provide long-range missiles. These are big changes. Thanks to the bravery of Ukrainians and Russia’s infinite evil and stupidity, this is becoming a reality,” he concluded.