The next is a transcript of an interview with Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba that aired Sunday, April 17, 2022, on "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: Now to the Overseas Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba. Minister, welcome again to this system. Mariupol governor says town has been wiped off the face of the earth. How lengthy can Ukrainian forces resist Russian management of that metropolis?
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DMYTRO KULEBA: The scenario in Mariupol is each dire militarily and heartbreaking. Town would not exist anymore. The remainings of the Ukrainian military and enormous group of civilians are mainly encircled by the Russian forces. They proceed their wrestle, however it appears from the best way the Russian military behaves in Mariupol, they determined to raze town to the bottom at any value.
MARGARET BRENNAN: President Zelensky mentioned the elimination of army forces in that metropolis will imply an finish to all negotiations with Russia. Have you ever been instructed to cease contact with Russian diplomats?
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DMYTRO KULEBA: Effectively, we did not actually have any contacts with Russian diplomats in latest weeks on the stage of overseas ministries. The one stage of contact is the negotiating crew that consists of representatives of varied establishments and members of Parliament. They'll proceed their consultations on the skilled stage, however no excessive stage talks are happening. After Bucha, it was- it grew to become significantly troublesome to proceed speaking with the Russians. However as my president talked about, Mariupol could also be a crimson line.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The overall employees of the armed forces of Ukraine mentioned final month that Russian troopers had been being informed the conflict should finish by Might the ninth. What precisely are you anticipating within the coming weeks?
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DMYTRO KULEBA: Intensification of heavy combating in japanese Ukraine, in Donbas, massive scale offensive of Russia in that a part of Ukraine. And likewise determined makes an attempt of the Russian forces, as I mentioned, and to- to complete with Mariupol at any value. These are my expectations. And, after all, missile assaults on Kyiv and different cities throughout Ukraine appear to proceed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: This previous week, President Zelensky launched pictures of a Ukrainian oligarch with shut ties to Vladimir Putin. His identify: Viktor Medvedchuk, saying that Ukrainian forces had captured him. He had been concerned in a plot to take over your authorities. What does Ukraine intend to do with him? Did U.S. intelligence support in that seize?
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DMYTRO KULEBA: Effectively, he is the citizen of Ukraine, so he'll get pleasure from all procedural rights as a result of we're a rustic of the rule of regulation. After which his future might be determined as a part of, on the one hand, authorized course of and then again, the political course of. We don't exclude any political choices. However as I mentioned, we're a rustic of the rule of regulation. And initially, he'll face duty for the crimes he dedicated towards Ukraine.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What precisely was he concerned with right here? How a lot contact did he have with Russia? What do you imply, political answer?
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DMYTRO KULEBA: Effectively, he was extraordinarily near President Putin. The truth is, Vladimir Putin is alleged to be the godfather of one of many daughters of Mr. Medvedchuk. I feel- I imagine this truth speak- truth speaks for itself. After I talked about political- political options, you realize that the spokesperson to President Putin, Mr. Peskov, mentioned that Russia has no curiosity in- in exchanging Mr. Medvedchuk. However we'll see how the scenario evolves.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The White Home says President Biden is not going to go to Ukraine. Loads of different world leaders have carried out so. Is it essential to you to see a excessive stage U.S. official come? Is it essential for the People to reopen the embassy in Ukraine?
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DMYTRO KULEBA: Because the starting of the brand new wave of Russia's aggression towards Ukraine, President Biden has demonstrated true management in serving to offering help to Ukraine, in mobilizing worldwide group to assist Ukraine. So after all, we'd be comfortable to see him in our nation and it could be an essential message of assist to us. And naturally, a private assembly between two presidents may additionally pave the best way for brand new provides and of weapons- of American- US weapons to Ukraine and in addition for discussions on the political- potential political settlement of this battle.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, we'll see if any officers are despatched. I do wish to ask you a couple of report that got here out this week. 45 completely different international locations who're a part of the OSCE, the Group for Safety and Cooperation in Europe, had this investigation into conflict crimes. And it was- it primarily faulted Russia. It was a catalog of horrors, however it additionally faulted Ukraine for failing to tell the Crimson Cross as soon as Ukrainian forces had recognized Russian troopers utilizing facial recognition expertise. And in accordance with this report, Ukraine's apparently sending the pictures to the households of the useless. Is that correct?
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DMYTRO KULEBA: Effectively, the federal government of Ukraine is just not conducting any such actions. However because it was talked about in the- within the report aired earlier than my look in your present, if you uncover 900 our bodies of civilians killed, tortured, when you realize that 1000's had been raped. In fact, there's a individuals's rage and folks's want to deliver these accountable for that to account. And we as the federal government work on authorized methods to deliver these accountable for these crimes to duty.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It additionally mentioned Ukraine has not permitted the Crimson Cross to go to prisoners of conflict. Will Ukraine decide to doing so and to research conflict crimes by its personal nationals if you happen to discover that some have been dedicated?
UKRAINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DMYTRO KULEBA: Effectively, I've good causes to complain on the best way the Crimson Cross rolled out its operations in Ukraine for the reason that starting of the conflict and on the go to of the president of the Crimson Cross to Moscow and the best way it was dealt with. However I do not do it as a result of we have now an excellent working relationship with the Crimson Cross and we kind out all points on the working stage within the spirit of cooperation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: All proper, Mr. Overseas Minister, thanks for becoming a member of us at the moment.