KUALA LUMPUR: Ukrainian ambassador to Malaysia Olexander Nechytaylo has pledged that while the people of Ukraine continue to bleed for their country, "the bloodshed will not break our spirit."
He said the Russian invasion of their country has brought about human suffering, loss of lives and despair that Europe has not seen since World War 2.
He claimed that almost 400 civilians, including 16 children, have been killed in the attacks.
These crimes, he said, are being carefully documented for further legal proceedings in the International Criminal Court.
"The enemies are facing fierce resistance from Ukrainians and the attackers are losing motivation, thus resorting to tactics of indiscriminate massive attacks against the civilian population.
"We continue to stand our ground with all major cities, namely Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, Mariupol and the capital Kyiv remaining under our control.
"We are bleeding, but we are fighting back with even more resolve. It is clear now that they failed to break our morale and our spirits," he said.
Nechytaylo was speaking at a gathering of more than 30 foreign ambassadors in a show of solidarity for Ukraine at Menara Tan & Tan here today.
Among those present were British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay, German ambassador to Malaysia Dr Peter Blomeyer, Norwegian ambassador to Malaysia Morten Paulsen, Italian ambassador to Malaysia Massimo Rustico as well as United States ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters.
Nechytaylo said Ukraine will remember those who remained silent or have turned a blind eye to the criminal acts that has sparked a new humanitarian and security crisis of this global magnitude.
"The Russians expected the world to just watch in disbelief as a public execution of Ukrainians was carried out for their choice and commitment to democracy.
"Instead, the international community responded with unprecedented unity and determination. Russia has already lost access to the international financial markets, they are being increasingly isolated in their ability to trade, travel and compete in sports.
"Ukraine, on the other hand, is receiving some vital support that we need to defeat the aggressor and liberate our country.
"Today, on behalf of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, we thank all the countries that expressed their support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.
On the status of peace talks taking place between Russia and Ukraine, Nechytaylo said while the people were hopeful, he remains sceptical of Russia's sincerity.
Meanwhile, McFeeters told reporters that the US has remained consistent in thoroughly condemning Russia's attacks on Ukraine.
"We understand that at the time of the event earlier, peace talks are going on between Russia and Ukraine, and we hope it will lead to something.
"But we've seen President Putin has had false diplomacy before, and we're worried about that too," he said.
McFeeters said the US had in the past provided roughly US$1 billion in military support for Ukraine.
"And that's continuing. The US and many other countries are putting in place strong financial sanctions on Russia, and that will continue to be strengthened until President Putin withdraws and ceases the invasion.
"The US, as well as many other countries including neighbouring countries, the European Union (EU) and Norway, are also providing increasing support, and we're a part of that," he said.
On Feb 24, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The United Nations had said that more than 520,000 people have fled Ukraine following the invasion.
It was reported earlier that the ICC will open an investigation into whether Russia has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, hours after peace talks in Belarus ended without a clear resolution and shelling continued across Ukraine.
