Head of the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov emphasized that Ukraine's success in resisting Russia depends on its internal unity. According to him, the country's historical defeats were caused not by defeats on the battlefield, but by a loss of unity and internal discord.
'In terms of military strategy, we have never been defeated. There were losses in individual battles, but we constantly lost due to the loss of unity and internal discord. We always destroyed ourselves,' Budanov emphasized.
Budanov reminded that even during the Russian aggression in 2014, Ukrainians demonstrated unity. He warned that even corruption scandals should not become an obstacle to maintaining Ukraine's unity, as this threatens its existence.
'We are a legal democratic state. A crime must be punished. One cannot turn a blind eye to this. However, if the situation leads to social explosion, then no one will care even about the war. Ukraine may simply cease to exist,' he underscored.
Essential unity to overcome challenges
Budanov emphasized that the loss of internal unity could hinder the realization of Russia's dream of dividing Ukraine. However, by preserving unity, Ukrainians can cope with any challenges, regardless of external threats or resource constraints.
Ella Libanova from the Institute of Demography and Social Studies also highlighted the importance of unity for conducting reforms. She emphasized that modern Ukrainians are united against something but must learn to be united for something.