The next is a transcript of an interview with Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova that aired on “Face the Nation” on June 4, 2023.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Ambassador Oksana Markarova joins us for an replace. Good morning to you. It is good to have you ever again with us.
UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. OKSANA MARKAROVA: Good morning. All the time good to be again.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to ask you about what’s taking place now as a result of Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, U.S. educated Ukrainian brigades have arrived in Ukraine they usually’ve been rehearsing, coaching and sustaining for weeks. He talked about the climate has improved. He is describing the circumstances for that counter offensive to probably start very quickly. What are you anticipating within the coming days and weeks?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, you understand, for us, counter offensive by no means stopped to be sincere. Since February 24 that is all we had been specializing in, the best way to liberate our land. However after all, with further commerce brigades, with further tools, with each cent that we’re engaged on now, we hope that our commanders, as quickly as they may see the openings, will begin this- whether or not it may be one or a number of counter offensives, however the quicker we are able to liberate all their territory and all our individuals, after all, the higher. So I’ll observe, after all, as you heard our President and our commanders, we won’t announce something, we are going to not- we are going to see it when the outcomes are there. However we expect to liberate extra quickly.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And your president stated ‘we’re prepared.’ Russia, although, all through the course of the week has been launching missile assaults, together with on the capital of Kyiv. They seem like testing your air defenses. And I do know President Zelenskyy has stated Ukraine wants extra Patriot missiles. Are you getting assist getting that type of air protection proper now? Is the U.S. doing sufficient?
AMB. MARKAROVA: We’re very grateful for every thing we’re receiving. So, it is Patriots, it is NASAMS, it is all different capabilities, however we clearly want extra. So what Russians have been doing, once more for 466 days now, but additionally this week, you understand, we’ve got seen how every day, a number of instances a day, there have been lethal assaults by rockets, but additionally Shahed drones all- on a regular basis. So it is the phobia. It is the destruction that it brings. But in addition it is the, you understand, increasing our capabilities that we’ve got now we undoubtedly want extra
MARGARET BRENNAN: The Biden Administration launched one other 300 million in army assist. A few of that included drones. Are these surveillance drones, are these assault drones that the U.S. is giving?
AMB. MARKAROVA: It is a vary of the drones so- and we’d like all of them. We want the surveillance, we’d like the assault drones, we’d like the kamikaze drones. So there will probably be totally different capabilities within the packages.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There may be an upcoming NATO assembly in July that the president- President Biden is anticipated to attend and Ukraine’s, entry doable entry, into the army alliances is a subject there. Have you learnt what the U.S. goes to vow?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, all of us sit up for the summit. Ukraine has NATO aspirations, transatlantic aspirations–
MARGARET BRENNAN: For a while now.
AMB. MARKAROVA: – in our hearts, in our Structure, and nearly all of individuals help it. Since 2008, when the primary declaration was made that we are going to be members of NATO, we imagine it is time to begin discussing some particular steps in that regard. Now, once more, as President Zelenskyy stated, we’re realists. We perceive the restrictions that the continuing struggle places to it, however I feel at this second, after this horrible violation of worldwide legislation, after Russia attacked us utterly not provoked after we weren’t a part of NATO, after historic choices on Finland and Sweden, it is time for everybody to appreciate that it is about good versus evil. And we should be members of NATO as a lot as NATO wants Ukraine additionally so as as a result of we’ve got loads so as to add to NATO. So sure, we sit up for this discussion board to debate this.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Your president stated he is aware of this would not occur till after the struggle is concluded, in different phrases, that the U.S. would not be drawn in on to this battle now, as a NATO member, however promise a future entry. What are the safety ensures that you’re searching for?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, you understand, the President Zelenskyy put out this peace system, which clearly outlines how the struggle ought to finish and the best way to construct, restore the safety. So there may be a variety of parts: it is army safety, justice, rebuilding- rebuilding Ukraine, making certain that we are able to all collectively deter Russia from making it once more. And it is all been mentioned with- with companions individually, but additionally was the group. It was one of many objects mentioned on the G7 summit, at others. So it is a work in progress, however I feel, you understand, the true safety assure and never for Ukraine, however for transatlantic group and for our a part of the world however globally for everybody who believes in UN stature, is for us sooner or later to change into the member of the alliance. That could be a peaceable defensive alliance of the individuals with like minded values.
MARGARET BRENNAN: 45 billion in U.S. help to Ukraine has been pledged thus far. However that funding ends in September, they usually’ll should be a request for extra. Are you involved about all of the political pressures which will make that harder, notably going right into a presidential election yr?
AMB. MARKAROVA: Properly, any democracy, and Ukraine and the U.S. are each democracies, have good democratic elections and processes. And sure, it is an extra issue, however I imagine American individuals help us and we’re very grateful for American individuals for the help we’ve got acquired. We are going to all the time keep in mind it. And I do know that almost all of politicians on either side of the aisle you understand, equally, we’ve got this robust bipartisan help. And I actually hope that Ukraine will proceed uniting individuals in Ukraine, even by way of this electoral course of,
MARGARET BRENNAN: Ambassador, we will probably be watching carefully within the coming days and weeks and pondering of Ukraine. Thanks for becoming a member of us.
AMB. MARKAROVA: Thanks.
