‘A living hell for many’: War between Russia, Ukraine not a distant one, says Ukrainian Ambassador

SINGAPORE: The drawn-out war between Russia and Ukraine is not a distant one and requires a global response for it to end, said Ukraine’s Ambassador to Singapore Kateryna Zelenko on Friday (Feb 24). 

“It is always important to understand that this is not a distant war. We live in a globalised world,” she stressed. 

“If we look at the magnitude of this international armed conflict, we realise that a global response is required to bring peace closer and to stop the war.”

Feb 24 marks one year since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF WAR

Since then, it has been a challenging year for the country, which has lost half of its critical infrastructure and seen thousands of civilians killed, Ms Zelenko told CNA’s Asia First. 

“It is quite a living hell for many Ukrainians. At the same time, the country has shown unprecedented resilience,” she added. “We keep fighting and we keep standing strongly, but of course it is quite a challenge.” 

Millions of Ukrainians left the country for safer ground. Many have resettled elsewhere in Europe, where they are allowed to remain for three years.

Elsewhere, Ukrainians in Singapore have been staying in touch with their families and offering the necessary help where possible, said Ms Zelenko, adding that it is “heartbreaking” talking to loved ones who have had to hide when air raid sirens blare. 

“And I’m incredibly grateful to so many members of our community for helping us, for supporting us, for providing humanitarian assistance, as we all realise we are in the same boat, we need to support one another.”

Some countries have since poured a considerable amount of humanitarian and military aid into Ukraine’s fight for survival.