13:00 11.07.2015

Only army, diplomacy defending Ukraine's security now - ambassador to U.S.

2 min read
Only army, diplomacy defending Ukraine's security now - ambassador to U.S.

Ukraine's security is currently protected only by the Ukrainian armed forces and diplomacy, says newly-appointed Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Valeriy Chaly.

Asked in an interview shown on Channel 5 on Friday evening whether he agrees that the signatories to the Budapest Memorandum are failing to fulfill their obligations, Chaly replied, "When the Budapest Memorandum was being signed, we didn't manage to defend all positions. But we have guarantees, whatever they are, which must be implemented."

"Ukraine voluntarily, although under some pressure, ceded 1,240 warheads, and it is entitled to 1,000 Javelins [antitank missile systems] in the event of some offensive operation on our territory," he said.

As long as the Minsk process is continuing, Kyiv wants to minimize losses in achieving peace, he said.

"The means that can be provided today, which includes communication devices and counterbattery radar systems, is what determines aggression against us. We are defending, and we are entitled to efficient defense," Chaly said.

Therefore, "the matter is not about the Budapest Memorandum guarantees," he said.

"Our objective is to build a security model for Ukraine based on the destroyed international law and guarantees, because we are in vacuum today. In fact, Ukraine's security today is provided by our army and our diplomatic work," he said.

Due to the Ukrainian diplomatic service's efforts, Ukraine has managed to build the most battle-worthy army in Europe, he said.

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