Recognition of Ukraine's statehood: Shevchuk defines victory in war
The UGCC leader believes Ukraine will achieve victory when Russia acknowledges its existence as a state.
Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), said Ukraine's victory in the war would come when Russia recognizes the existence of the Ukrainian state. He made the remarks in an interview with Kyiv Diplomatic magazine.
“Ukraine's victory will mean, first and foremost, that the aggressor acknowledges our existence – as a people and as a state. This is what we now call Ukraine's status as a sovereign actor,” Shevchuk said.
According to him, the Russian authorities behave as though Ukraine does not exist. He complained that Russia does not recognize “even our Church of Kyiv.”
“Until the Russian authorities recognize Ukraine as an independent actor in international relations, there is no point in talking about victory. And when they do, that recognition itself will constitute victory,” the UGCC leader said.
He believes Russia's recognition of Ukraine as a “subject of international law” would be “the key and foundation for genuine victory.”
“This would mean that we have changed the mindset of the northern dictator. And he, who speaks so often about the need to recognize reality, will finally acknowledge it – acknowledge Ukraine,” Shevchuk emphasized.
However, Russia formally recognized Ukraine's independence back in December 1991 by signing the Belovezha Accords. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992 and signed the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation, and Partnership in 1997. Even during the war, Moscow continues to engage in official negotiations with Kyiv, including talks on exchanging prisoners of war and the remains of fallen soldiers.
Thus, following the UGCC leader's logic, the victory he envisions as a future achievement actually occurred 35 years ago.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Shevchuk had said the UGCC would not accept a peace agreement unless Ukraine regained its territories.
