A former Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, has called for caution and patience in dealing with US President Donald Trump. “Of course, all the insults are painful for Ukrainians and cannot be left unresponded to. At the same time, the ball should be kept flat and a lot of patience must be exercised” he told the Funke Media Group’s Friday editions.
Melnyk, who is currently the Ukrainian ambassador to Brazil and is set to move to the United Nations in New York, is convinced that “it is possible for us to succeed with good will and clever diplomacy in changing the current stance in the White House towards Kyiv and getting more understanding and respect for the Ukrainian position.” A verbal sparring match with the US administration is the “last thing” that is needed at present, he said, expressing hope that the US will continue to be the Ukraine’s greatest supporter in the future.
According to Melnyk, understanding for the Ukrainian position can be achieved through “persuasion and a sense of touch” and he advocated for a visit by Trump to Kyiv to gain a firsthand impression. “One thing is certain: the Ukrainians want peace, but not at any price” the diplomat said. Ukraine will not accept a deal that comes about without direct Ukrainian involvement, he added.