Yushchenko opposes Russian diesel and reminds Trump of Budapest Memorandum

Third President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko published an open address to the head of the United States, Donald Trump. In the document, the former head of state emphasised the need to abandon purchases of Russian diesel fuel and called for not seeking compromises with tyrants, as he believes any concessions to Moscow only intensify aggression against Ukraine.

Concessions do not bring peace

In the letter, Yushchenko stressed that attempts to appease Russia do not lead to the end of hostilities. On the contrary, after each concession by international partners, the Kremlin continues attacks on Ukrainian cities. The politician mentioned strikes on residential areas of Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Kharkiv.

Criticism of energy agreements

The former president paid particular attention to the permission to purchase Russian diesel fuel. He expressed outrage at this decision, noting that against the backdrop of constant shelling of Ukraine, such steps, as well as lectures from Donald Trump, are felt especially painfully.

"Кожен долар від торгівлі з агресором під час такої бійні — це куплена ракета, яка завтра прилетить у наші хати. Українська ідентичність — це нескореність. Нас неможливо залякати ракетами й неможливо змусити здатися, бо в наших жилах тече кров вільних людей" (Every dollar from trade with the aggressor during such a battle is a purchased missile that will fly into our homes tomorrow. Ukrainian identity is unconquerability. We cannot be intimidated by missiles and cannot be forced to surrender, because the blood of free people flows in our veins), Yushchenko wrote.

Reference to the Budapest Memorandum

In his address, Viktor Yushchenko also drew attention to the Budapest Memorandum, signed in 1994. He reminded that at the time Ukraine voluntarily renounced the third-largest nuclear potential in the world in exchange for security assurances and respect for its borders.

The former president called on the United States to remember its obligations and signature on this document, which at one time served as the basis for Ukraine's renunciation of nuclear weapons.