Patriotism and unity to be Ukraine's powerful weapon against Russian aggression – Georgii Logvinskyi

"Thanks to such powerful weapon as patriotism and unity, we were able to repel Russian aggression and stop it. In Russia it was realized and, therefore, nowadays the Kremlin undertakes efforts aimed at destroying institutions that are responsible for forming of unity and patriotism of the Ukrainians in any way", Georgii Logvinskyi, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, expressed such an opinion during the 10th Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine.

"Many people ask themselves why in 2014 Russia did not go ahead and captured the whole territory of Ukraine, as it had all opportunities for this. Actually, Russia's purpose was neither to occupy the whole territory, but to gain a control over the political system and views of the Ukrainians. The Kremlin was convinced that Ukraine has very weak state institutions, and people would not countering Russia as, in particular, it was seen in the Crimea", said Georgii Logvinskyi.

Also, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament added that such public events as Kyiv Security Forum could be one more additional powerful weapon. "I believe that such activities as Kyiv Security Forum during which we have an ability to talk loudly, openly, frankly about the things happening now in the world, and call things by their proper names, could be a powerful weapon against Russian aggression. Openness and honesty is a weapon, against which the best special services with the best weapons can not withstand", said Georgii Logvinskyi.

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Kyiv Security Forum was launched by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine in 2007 is an annual international event to high-level discussions on the current issues in the Black Sea region and wider Europe. The Forum aims at increasing security cooperation between the EU and the Black Sea region, raising awareness about regional developments among key regional players, promoting the role of independent and non-governmental actors in setting the security agenda in Europe.