Information that Ukraine is hiding or transferring aid to third countries is a completely Russian narrative, - Mary Akopyan
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Mary Akopian gave an extensive interview to the Ukrinform news agency. In particular, she noted that the culture of transparency and demonstration of the effectiveness of the use of international assistance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has developed in recent years, when a large number of joint projects have been implemented. We now have more than 50 of them.
“This is what we explain to partners, try to communicate with their audiences, saying: information that Ukraine is hiding somewhere or transferring aid to third countries is an absolutely Russian narrative. We are fighting precisely because Europe and the United States do not stop providing everything we need. Specifically, now it is the task of living through the winter. We focus on power generators, heaters, tents and other necessary components. The main thing is that in this way more Ukrainians will winter at home, without looking for a warm winter in Europe,” said Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Mary Akopian.
At the same time, we do not ask for or receive financial assistance. We consistently explain to partners why we need the stated number of generators or other things. And already partner countries decide what part of our needs they are willing to provide.
There are countries that have historically cooperated with us for a long time. For example, the United States and Canada have provided tremendous assistance in the past, strengthening the resilience of the entire system, including the police, border guards, which has had a positive effect on their ability to work even in the face of a full-scale war.
“Naturally, countries that produce the best samples of specialized equipment occupied their niches in the support process. And if Germany makes excellent DNA laboratories, reagents that we really need, then we turn to our German colleagues. France is the manufacturer of the best fire equipment - our request to Paris is right behind it, and to Vienna - behind the cool stairs for rescuers. This fragmentation and orientation of partners is built quite pragmatically and logically for the donors themselves. By the way, in total, almost 800 fire-rescue and special cars have already been received from foreign partners for the emergency services,” the deputy minister commented.
When it comes to partners, we mean not only countries, but also non-indifferent individuals. It is they who set in motion the aid that is already working for Ukraine and the flow of which does not stop.
Read the full interview with Mary Akopian by vocation: https://bit.ly/3GzQGig
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
