Inside the secret talks before Russia invaded Ukraine
Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba revealed the events in the final hours leading up to the Russian invasion. During the Munich conference from 18th to 20th February 2022, it was said that Western leaders requested Volodymyr Zelensky to record a "video testament."
Ukrainian TV station TSN released a film titled "USA-UA. Secret White House Files," which detailed declassified documents and previously unknown aspects of negotiations between Ukrainian and American politicians. The author, Olha Koshelenko, examined top-secret American documents.
Moments before the war
In early October 2021, the United States reportedly discovered that Russia was planning a full-scale war with Ukraine. At that point, Joe Biden is said to have informed Ukraine and Western leaders. However, in Europe, it was believed the most significant escalation of the conflict would occur in eastern Ukraine.
Former Foreign Minister Kuleba shared in the documentary "USA-UA. Secret White House Files" that Americans frequently discuss the likelihood of war in Ukraine. However, when asked for evidence, they claim it’s highly classified. Meanwhile, Berlin and Paris offer reassurances, saying there’s no need for concern. Kuleba interpreted this signified that there would be no conflict with Russia and that all would be well based on their assurances.
John R. Bolton, former US National Security Advisor, stated that American intelligence provided briefings in closed House of Representatives and Senate sessions. He claimed officials were informed that "Kyiv would fall in a matter of days, and the country would fall in a matter of weeks."
Kyiv had previously asked for weapons to be delivered and for preventive sanctions against Russia to be imposed. Both requests were declined. Kuleba recounted a response from an American official, who questioned if, after the mistakes in Afghanistan, where weapons and other resources ended up with the enemy, the Taliban, they wanted to risk a similar situation in Ukraine.
During the Munich conference, US Vice President Kamala Harris counselled Zelensky to prepare for the potential establishment of a government-in-exile and to seek military solutions to enable Ukraine to conduct guerrilla warfare. Journalist Simon Shuster reported this.
"A man, a great friend of Ukraine, sent me a message, and when I said I was going home, he said: "Zelensky should record a video testament'" - Kuleba confessed.
Outbreak of war
On the night of 23rd February, Zelensky and his family were at their home near Kyiv. His wife learned about the onset of war when she heard the sounds of explosions nearby. At that moment, Zelensky reportedly said, "the worst has begun."
The Ukrainian president is said to have called Biden, pleading with him to do everything possible to stop it. Zelensky also reportedly asked the US President to call Putin and tell him to cease his actions.
