WILL, HOPE, MERCY AND INVINCIBILITY

Almost every state of the modern world during its historical development has to go through the difficult trials of wars, regional conflicts and internal confrontations of political elites. Ukraine, as a young state, and each representative of multicultural and multi-confessional Ukrainian community, regardless of whether they remained on Ukrainian territory or were forced to leave its borders, seeking temporary shelter in neighboring and friendly countries. Today we will talk about current humanitarian situation in our country and prospects for its post-war recovery with head of the Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" Dr. Khusameddin Al-Halawani.

Dr. Khusameddin, in your opinion, would it have been possible to foresee the deployment of military aggression by the northern neighbor on territory of Ukraine and to prevent that humanitarian and economic catastrophe, which is now becoming no less a threat to our state than ongoing war initiated by the aggressor country?

Since the 1990s of last century, after collapse of USSR, which was essentially an authoritarian regime and in fact successor of the Russian Empire, on ruins of which it was formed, when the so-called Soviet republics gained independence and gained their right to self-determination, a qualitatively new neo -imperial discourse reinforced by Russian political ambitions and claims to regional and world leadership. The rhetoric of so-called Slavic unity under patronage of "elder brother", as well as attempts to build new entities on ruins of Soviet system, such as Commonwealth of Independent States and Eurasian Economic Space, in order to realize Russian geopolitical ambitions at expense of this, as well as not to lose the loyalty of key players of post-Soviet space, connected not only by economic ties, but also by common technological cycles of production of weapons, dual purpose equipment, civil and military aircraft construction, etc.

I assume that the attackers' plans to destroy one of the two Ukrainian "Mriya" planes in an attempt to seize Kyiv in the winter of 2022 had not only strategic goals, but also had a special symbolic and political significance for the propaganda of the invading ideology and the intimidation of Ukrainians. But here the invaders made a mistake: it is possible to damage buildings, objects of civil and critical infrastructure, material monuments of cultural heritage and scientific and technological progress, but the Ukrainian dream of freedom and peace, which lives in the heart of every Ukrainian, cannot be destroyed. It is because of this unique feature that Ukrainians have once again become an example for the whole world of indomitability, heroic resistance to the enemy and strength of spirit, self-organization of communities, support of brothers and sisters, and mercy.

Regarding the predictability of further deployment of northern neighbor`s military aggression on Ukrainian territory since 2014, I would like to note that although such scenario of events was already predicted, but almost not considered due to existence of confrontations between some political elites inside the country and reorganization of regional offices network of the National Institute of Strategic research, among tasks of which was collection and analysis of information on potential threats to national security of Ukraine. Thus, constellation of apparently unrelated factors and triggers of different nature and potential, in combination with new wave of economic crises and political instability, which covered most of countries in Middle Eastern region after events of Arab Spring, also directly affected fate of such countries as Lebanon, Ukraine and Turkey, which historically were and remain in zone of intersection the geopolitical interests of key players on world political arena. I would like to remind you that our Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" was founded in 2020 aiming on joining efforts by establishing a constructive dialogue between state institutions and representatives of civil society focused at overcoming socio-economic and humanitarian crises, as well as identifying and leveling of security threats that pose new challenges to Ukraine and Ukrainians. Currently, partner organizations and regional offices of Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" are actively involved into implementation of humanitarian projects in the East and South of Ukraine, helping the most socially vulnerable categories of the population from local communities that have fallen into trouble due to war.

 

Tell us more about humanitarian projects and initiatives implemented by the Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" and its partner organizations.

Since beginning of 2021, at Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" was founded Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Projects, within framework of which we together with partner organizations and volunteers implement humanitarian and charitable projects. Thus, in spring of 2021 on framework of "Week of Kindness" project, humanitarian assistance was transferred to centers for social rehabilitation of children and persons with special needs, as well as medical equipment and necessary medicines were transferred to National Military Medical Clinical Center "Main Military Clinical Hospital".

I would like to express my special gratitude to our regional representatives and volunteers who participated in implementation of humanitarian projects in the East and South of Ukraine during 2022. However, war cannot last forever, and that is why we set ourselves a new task - to promote the reintegration of forced migrants and refugees from the zone of active military maneuvers, as well as restoration and socio-economic development of local communities with support of European Union with friendly circle of international partners of Ukraine. In my opinion, issues of economic and food security deserve special attention at the moment, as well as field of professional and higher education, which should play a decisive role in providing (training and/or retraining) the necessary personnel for post-war recovery of our country and restarting national economy.

Considering current friendly attitude and support of Ukraine from side of Middle Eastern countries, which are currently providing Ukraine with necessary assistance, there is already essential need in experts on international economic relations, as well as highly qualified translators and diplomatic personnel for further development of diplomatic relations and expansion the spheres of cooperation with Middle Eastern and Asian countries. Oddly enough, history often repeats itself, particularly in turbulent times of geopolitical conflicts and socio-economic upheavals. So, as far back as 1925, on initiative of Kharkiv orientalists Pavel Ritter, Andriy Kovalivskyi and Pavlo Tichina, Oriental Studies Section of Kharkiv Scientific Society was founded, which later joined the All-Ukrainian Scientific Association of Oriental Studies, which had branches in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. The Association had close ties with Ukrainian Eastern Chamber of Commerce, which was located in Kharkiv at that time. At the same time, oriental studies courses were opened in Kyiv and Kharkiv, where oriental languages, economic and historical disciplines were taught. Subsequently, in 1930, on basis of these courses, the Ukrainian Evening Technical School of Oriental Studies and Oriental Languages was opened as a special secondary educational institution with a broad curriculum and two areas of specialist training: economists-orientalists and translators from Oriental languages, press workers. I’d like to note that our Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" unites and supports Orientalist scientists and comprehensively promotes establishment of creative and business contacts between Ukrainian and Middle Eastern educational, scientific and diplomatic institutions, and therefore we are always open to cooperation.

Also, our Center continues its work in field of international cooperation development, conducts research in field of international economic relations and diplomacy, as well as supporting initiatives for the post-war development and restoration of Ukraine, countering extremism and terrorism in all its manifestations, development and implementation of innovations on territory of partner countries and building a democratic dialogue within frameworks of world community.

 

You are by origin from Lebanon and have been living and working in Ukraine for many years. Lebanon, like Ukraine now, had to go through the horrors of wars, post-war recovery, overcoming internal political and economic crises, what can you advise Ukrainians based on your international diplomatic experience?

Hope, strong will, mercy and indomitability are the features that distinguish Ukrainians and Lebanese, and therefore the friendly Ukrainian-Lebanese team of the Center for International Relations "Peace and Security" unites efforts and resources to provide the necessary assistance to those who need it most needs, in different parts of the world. Thus, during the first year of the war, the Center for International Relations "Peace and Security" provided humanitarian aid and necessary medicines to more than 4,000 people, including the elderly, the seriously ill, and people with special needs.

Today, many countries of the world suffer from consequences of nature disasters, shortages of energy sources, drinking water and food, therefore engineering and technical developments of Ukrainian scientists in field of alternative energy sources, purification of drinking water, rational use of resources of territories that are suitable for conducting agricultural activities using means of innovative technologies, as well as practical solutions in sphere of crisis and field medicine, socio-psychological rehabilitation and reintegration of refugees and temporary displaced asylum seekers - in my opinion - are key elements of building closer cooperation between Ukrainian side and world community. We have already taken the first steps on this path - in August 2020, the Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" organized transfer of necessary humanitarian assistance to people of Beirut affected by explosion, and a humanitarian initiative to support people from socially vulnerable categories of residents in region of Northern Lebanon is also ongoing.

I want to add that now in ranks of Armed Forces and territorial defense, Ukrainian land is being defended from the enemy by many representatives of Middle Eastern countries, whose fate is connected with Ukraine. Doctors from the Middle East, who daily save lives of Ukrainian defenders and civilians in field hospitals and inpatient medical facilities, are also nearing victory. Our Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" implements projects to provide Ukrainian hospitals with the necessary medical equipment and medicines. Our center continues the humanitarian project with the help of Armed Forces, sincerely believing in heroic role of our patriots and their invaluable contribution to defense of Ukraine and free world.

In addition, in cooperation with representatives of Ukrainian diplomatic missions, our center provides the necessary consultation and humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians who were forced to leave for the countries of Northern and Western Europe due to the war. Together, saving lives, we bring the victory of light over darkness closer.

In recent months, ministries and religious leaders have organized a series of events to honor diplomatic, military, business and public figures who have provided support to Ukraine's defenders and civilians during the war. You have become one of the public leaders, whose contribution to support of Ukrainian people and army stability was recognized at the highest level. Can you tell us more about that?

Our beloved Ukraine deserves if its people and every person who lives on its land and have focused efforts for its prosperity, will get required recognition and respect, as those I received from the Ministry of Defense and Ukrainian religious leaders, among whom was Patriarch Filaret. It is very gratifying that not only leaders - heads of public organizations and public persons- were honored, but was recognized also contribution of all members of represented by them organizations. Thus, the Center of International Relations "Peace and Security" was recognized for positive role it plays, directing its resources and efforts to serve Ukrainian people and protect justice. I would like to take this opportunity to express my special thanks to all my assistants and employees, as well as partner organizations, who have contributed by joining the projects and initiatives of the Center to make its work successful. Therefore, we will continue to jointly make maximum efforts to maintain the indomitable spirit of Ukrainians and bring the expected victory of good over evil closer.

Mr. Khusameddin, what would you like to wish at the end of our conversation to all representatives of the international community who care about the fate of Ukraine?

Current war on Ukrainian territory attracts attention of whole international community to Ukraine and its people. The ongoing ordeal that befell the fate of Ukrainians also became a kind of test on humanity, mercy and integrity for numerous representatives of international establishment: some representatives have provided humanitarian aid and support to needy out of a sincere call of soul, and some other ones did it … only to increase their rating. In one way or another, life tests everyone, and every reach person may tomorrow find himself in the place of a needy person who was lightly denied support and help today. There is human judgment, and there is a judgment of one's own conscience, from which no one has yet managed to hide. Therefore, follow call of your heart, help the needy, support those who seek peace and harmony. Sincerity and mercy are more valuable virtues than any variable rating or temporary PR.

Garnyk Liudmyla. PhD (political sciences)

Photos from the archive of the Center for International Relations "Peace and Security", Yulia Novytska and Oleksandr Avramenko