美国国家公共电台 NPR--Russian forces appear to be preparing for a new attempt to take Kyiv

 

Russian forces appear to be preparing for a new attempt to take Kyiv

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Olga Stefanishyna, deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration¹ of Ukraine, about what it's like in the besieged² parts of the capital Kyiv.

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Ukraine's capital city is still under Ukrainian control, despite more than two weeks of Russian attacks aimed at capturing the seat of power. Now Russian forces appear to be preparing for a new attempt to take Kyiv. That is where we reached Olha Stefanishyna, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. She told our co-host Leila Fadel that the attacks in the West were not a surprise.

OLHA STEFANISHYNA: We weren't prepared for any kind of scenario³, including assaults on the western part of Ukraine. Basically, that means that Putin is, again, raising the stakes in the negotiations⁴ before the next round of bilateral⁵ talks. He has started to put ultimatums⁶, which are going beyond Ukrainian border. For example, the ultimatums that NATO to stop any kind of cooperation with Ukraine, to put different threats about a no-fly zone, about the flights and the jets. This war is not the war in Ukraine. It's the war for his influence and for his, like, way he sees the world. And the recent assault and, basically, attacks on the military infrastructure⁷ - air drones, airports and military bases. This is, let's say, an attempt to legalize (unintelligible) internationally, but also trying to weaken our army by destroying the military infrastructure - like, most secured part of the territory of Ukraine.

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

That base - was that a base where foreign fighters for the Legion were training?

STEFANISHYNA: Yeah. This was the largest training base in Ukraine since many years ago, but especially in - since 2014. All the international trainers and battalions⁸ were training there together with Ukrainian Armed Forces, in terms of the capacity building, ensuring the proper ability and et cetera. So this was an targeted assault. More than 30 rockets were targeted to this area. But this shows that there's no secure areas. They have the capacity, but we have the highest level of preparedness.

FADEL: NATO, the U.S., have made it very clear that they will not implement⁹ a no-fly zone, that this would be seen as direct combat with Russia. And leaders in Europe and the U.S. say it risks a wider war. What's your response to that?

STEFANISHYNA: Well, I think it's very important not to think what would be the consequences of taking it, but rather thinking, what would be the consequences of not taking it? It is absolutely clear their air defense¹⁰ is something which is used constantly by Russian Federation¹¹ to attack the civilians¹², to destroy the people of Ukraine. So, of course, the position of NATO was precise and clear. But still, there is also a UN platform who could still make this decision, even having Russia in the Security Council. So it is still legally possible to take this decision and also to protect the sky in humanitarian¹³ purposes. And in that regard, there should be no difference between Russia and Iran or any other country.

FADEL: But the difference is is that Russia has threatened use of nukes, and they have nuclear power. And European leaders, American leaders, have said this risks World War III.

STEFANISHYNA: Yes, you know, but they have already captured two nuclear stations in Ukraine. And Putin does not have to push the button. He can just simply put a group of uneducated officers only, like - that are riding by (unintelligible) throughout the area. Already increased the level of radiation without any actions taken. So just, like, going throughout this area is something that increases the risk. So you don't have to wait until he will push the button. He can do it right ahead, and he already threatens that.

FADEL: Russia's now in control of one of Ukraine's power plants. It also has control of Chernobyl, and Russian forces are approaching another power plant. What happens if Russian forces seize control of more of these plants?

STEFANISHYNA: Well, I would start by saying that the first 24 hours of war, when they captured the Chernobyl station, this was the target they were attempting to capture. And what we did - we reached all the international organizations and immediately demanded two things - to ensure the secure area in Chernobyl, but also to hold Russia obliged to withdraw its forces and ensure the security of the station. But so far, all the international organizations failed to do anything meaningful in terms of, like, securing these objects, except planning some visits and showing concerns.

But you should really hear me. The Russian Armed Forces - these are the armed forces - they are now physically¹⁴ in this part of area. Nobody has access to that. And nobody, except them, ensures they are functioning. And basically, anything could happen any day. They just get the order, and they implement it. Anything could happen.

FADEL: I do want to ask you about your own security. We've heard now of Russian forces taking two mayors hostage since the invasion started. What does this mean for other officials like you?

STEFANISHYNA: We do not really put a line between officials and the citizens of Ukraine who are suffering enormously. There's been assassinated¹⁵, the womens been raped¹⁶ and the mens were killed. Many, many children were left without their parents and families. Many children has died, basically. And we never couldn't understand what was the purpose of bombing the maternity¹⁷ houses or hospitals or schools or kindergartens.

FADEL: You said women are being raped. Where is that happening?

STEFANISHYNA: There is a major number of areas which are being taken under control of the Russian Armed Forces, like Hostomel, some cities in the southern part of Ukraine, including around the Kyiv area. We have fixed¹⁸ all these cases to the extent we could have because simply the armed forces and Ukrainian officials do not have access to this area, and we have provided all international organizations which has any kind of mandate¹⁹ in that regard. This is crime against humanity. This is not a war. This is a terror.

FADEL: Russian forces have struggled trying to take Kyiv. It's seen as the prize for Vladimir Putin. But they are closing in on the city. Is there any scenario in which you would consider leaving Kyiv?

STEFANISHYNA: Well, I'm not a military person. I mean, we all are now military people in the government. But I have the full confidence that Kyiv is standing²⁰ on its - two of its legs, and Kyiv will resist by any price.

FADEL: Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, talking to us via Skype. Thank you for taking the time.

STEFANISHYNA: Thank you.

(SOUNDBITE OF DEEB'S "FLUID DYNAMICS")

1 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

2 besieged   

包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Paris was besieged for four months and forced to surrender. 巴黎被围困了四个月后被迫投降。
• The community besieged the newspaper with letters about its recent editorial. 公众纷纷来信对报社新近发表的社论提出诘问，弄得报社应接不暇。

3 scenario   

n.剧本，脚本；概要

参考例句：

• But the birth scenario is not completely accurate.然而分娩脚本并非完全准确的。
• This is a totally different scenario.这是完全不同的剧本。

4 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

5 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

6 ultimatums   

最后通牒( ultimatum的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Environmental groups in Nevada and the Midwest have issued similar ultimatums. 内华达和中西部的环保团体也发布了类似的最后通牒。
• A proactive teacher doesn't deliver ultimatums. [先发制人式]师并不下最后通牒。

7 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

8 battalions   

n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍

参考例句：

• God is always on the side of the strongest battalions. 上帝总是帮助强者。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Two battalions were disposed for an attack on the air base. 配置两个营的兵力进攻空军基地。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

9 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

10 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

11 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

12 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

13 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

14 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

15 assassinated   

v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏

参考例句：

• The prime minister was assassinated by extremists. 首相遭极端分子暗杀。
• Then, just two days later, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. 跟着在两天以后，肯尼迪总统在达拉斯被人暗杀。 来自辞典例句

16 raped   

v.以暴力夺取，强夺( rape的过去式和过去分词 )；强奸

参考例句：

• A young woman was brutally raped in her own home. 一名年轻女子在自己家中惨遭强暴。 来自辞典例句
• We got stick together, or we will be having our women raped. 我们得团结一致，不然我们的妻女就会遭到蹂躏。 来自辞典例句

17 maternity   

n.母性，母道，妇产科病房；adj.孕妇的，母性的

参考例句：

• Women workers are entitled to maternity leave with full pay.女工产假期间工资照发。
• Trainee nurses have to work for some weeks in maternity.受训的护士必须在产科病房工作数周。

18 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

19 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

20 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。