We Cannot Afford Pessimism – it's a Luxury.

On pessimism

Instead of a biography, I have two phrases on my Facebook profile that I consider guideposts: "We cannot afford pessimism – it's a luxury" and "When strength runs out, character begins." I believe we will still demonstrate our Ukrainian character.

On Western countries that refused to accept reality

At the beginning of the war, a significant part of Ukrainian society shut itself off from reality and did not accept it. Western countries, to which we appeal, explaining that if we don't stop Putin in Ukraine, he will continue, are behaving in the same way now.

This is childish behavior. It didn't work for us, and it won't work for them.

On Russian crimes

Russians believe they can do whatever they want. They have committed war crimes in Chechnya, Moldova, Georgia, Mali, Syria, Libya, and have never been punished.

When I'm asked why Russians shot people on the streets from tanks, why they killed children's writer Volodymyr Vakulenko in Kharkiv Oblast, why they shot conductor Yuriy Karpatenko in Kherson, I always answer, "Because they could, because that's their culture."

On aid to Ukraine

There is a big difference between the goal "let's help Ukraine not to lose" and the goal "let's help Ukraine to win." The difference between them is measured in the types of weapons we receive, in the seriousness of the sanctions imposed, in the speed of decisions. I tell our international partners directly, "Until there is a common goal – to help Ukraine win – we cannot have a common strategy."

On Ukraine's tasks

Not only to drive Russian troops out of the country. Our task is more complex – to demonstrate democratic success, to build a society where the rights of every person are protected, where power is accountable and controllable, where courts are independent and dispense justice.