Watch: ‘Millions Of People Live In Those Territories’ – Ukrainian Activist Says On Peace Talks
Lovin Malta sat down with head of Ukrainian-based organisation the Media Initiative for Human Rights, Olha Reshetylova, whose work surrounds helping Ukrainian prisoners of war.
During an interview back in December, the newsroom asked Olha about her thoughts on then-rumours that US President Donald Trump will negotiate a peace deal to the three-year war on the grounds that Russia gets to keep the territories it annexed since it launched its most recent invasion.
“We are not talking about hundreds of people, we are talking about millions who are suffering,” Reshetylova responded.
Reshetylova reminded that the 20% of land currently controlled by Russia and being negotiated in peace talks contains millions of people whose livelihoods are at stake.
“Russia annexed Crimea 10 years ago but random detentions occur to this day. Russia wants to keep an atmosphere of fear.”
She said that people are tortured and killed daily: “They do not want to live under occupation.”
When asked whether she believes peace with Russia is possible, Reshetylova said no, not with Russia as it stands today.
Reshetylova travelled to Malta to attend the OSCE’s Ministerial Council meeting where she shared her work with foreign ministers from over 50 states.
Accompanying her was Olha Babych, the wife of a Ukrainian mayor who was imprisoned at the start of the aggression and hasn’t been seen since. She shared her story with Lovin Malta and echoed Reshetylova’s sentiments when asked about Trump.
“This is not just territory, it’s people.”
“There is a saying: If you let them bite your finger off, they will bite your hand and then your whole arm off. That is what they will do,” she continued.
In recent weeks, Trump has been attempting to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, however, European leaders have been excluded from direct discussions. The Kremlin has not offered any concessions on the annexed territories.
Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr are currently engaged in a meeting to discuss a US-Ukraine minerals deal. However. Reports suggest that Zelensky remains unable to secure US security guarantees.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to offer resources to American partners in joint projects, including mining in Russia’s “new territories”.
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