Millions of people in Ukraine are fleeing the war or are stuck waiting for evacuation. All of this is coordinated by Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk. Marco Lupis, special correspondent for Swiss Italian Television (RSI), was able to speak to her in Kyiv.
SRF News: There is talk of a possible missile attack on the center of the capital Kyiv, and also of a possible nuclear threat. What do you think?
Irina Vereshchuk: Putin is just trying to scare us. And the threat of nuclear attack is nothing more than another attempt. I can assure you that this is not working for the Ukrainian people. It’s not intimidating.
We are not afraid, we will fight and we will win.
Putin wants to impose his terms on us, but we will not accept them. We are not afraid, we will not lay down our arms, we will fight and we will win.
How have your priorities changed since the beginning of the war?
As Minister for the Integration of the Occupied Territories, my priorities have changed a lot because the war is now going beyond the Donbass and Crimea territories. Therefore, my function has been expanded. Today I also take care of the humanitarian corridors and prisoner exchanges.
There are many people who are pro-Russian and support the invasion of Ukraine. What would you tell them?
I tell them their hands are also soiled – with the blood of our children, our tortured and killed. Their guilt will weigh on their conscience because they remain silent and allow Russian propaganda. The blood sticks to them too.
Marco Lupis conducted the interview.