Kuleba mentioned that during the security conference in Munich (Germany), U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider forming a government-in-exile, as well as to think about military measures to prepare Ukraine for engaging in guerrilla warfare.
The former head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also recalled that in February 2022, he was advised not to return to Kyiv.
“Think twice: you will be needed for the restoration of Ukrainian independence,” the ex-minister quoted an unnamed American official.
Another contact from a partner country reached Kuleba while he was already on his way home (he was in Poland).
“He said: ‘Don’t leave, they will kill you there. Your voice will be needed for Ukraine to continue the fight; you will travel the world, rallying support for Ukraine,’” the diplomat recalled.
He noted that U.S. President Joe Biden met with experts the day before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, asking them, “What will happen?” They gave Ukraine a week to resist Russia.
“And they all said in unison: ‘At most seven days.’ He replied, ‘Okay. What are the decisions?’ They responded: ‘We armed Afghanistan – and what happened? Everything went to the Taliban. [They said] we will now send them weapons that won’t save them,’” said the former head of the foreign ministry.
Kuleba led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from March 2020 to September 2024.