Outgoing Ukrainian ambassador facilitated communications on MH17 tragedy and war with Russia

KUALA LUMPUR: Outgoing Ukrainian ambassador to Malaysia Olexander Nechytaylo had played a crucial role in keeping communication channels open between both sides following the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

As he bids adieu to the host nation after his decade-long stay, Nechytaylo recalled vividly that one of his earliest mission in Malaysia is ensuring justice is served to the next-of-kin, families and relatives of MH17 victims.

On July 17, 2014, the aircraft - en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur - was shot down over Donetsk in Ukraine.

The outgoing ambassador also played a key role in 2014 in establishing the joint investigation team between Ukraine, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Australia and Belgium to probe into the downing of MH17.

"When I arrived here in Kuala Lumpur, the MH17 investigation had just started and I am happy that the trial in Hague (the court proceedings examining criminal responsibility in the downing of MH17) is in the final stage now.

"I met the victims' families in Malaysia and I felt sad for them. It is our moral duty to serve justice to the members of families of the crash victims," he told media members after hosting a farewell high-tea for them at a hotel here, recently.

The diplomat said the verdict of the trial is expected to be delivered by year-end or early next year, hoping that it will help bring justice for all the 298 people on board, including 15 crew members, who perished in the incident in 2014.

The ongoing Russian-Ukraine war also posed its own challenges for Nechytaylo, who had to ensure that proper communication was maintained between both countries as the war escalated.

The diplomat said when the war began on Feb 24, his mission as an ambassador was to communicate messages about the developments in Ukraine to Malaysian leaders such as the foreign affairs minister, and also to the public and media.

Elaborating further, Nechytaylo shared that among his memorable moments in Malaysia was when former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko came to Malaysia for a three-day official visit, back in 2016.

Petro, in an exclusive interview with Bernama in conjunction with his visit, highlighted that he took several important steps after the tragedy, such as, among others, calling the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Netherlands, and all the nations that suffered the most from the MH17 tragedy.

On the MH17 tragedy, Petro, who served as the Ukrainian President from 2014 to 2019, said he was tested with what has been described as 'the biggest crime against humanity in the history of modern aviation.'

On a personal note, Nechytaylo, who is an ardent fan of Malaysian band Alleycats and Malaysia's legendary rockstar Amy Search, said one of his significant achievements during his tenure in Malaysia was doubling the trade figure between Malaysia and Ukraine from a mere US$260 million per year to US$450 million per year in 2021.

The diplomat had visited every state and federal territories in Malaysia and had been instrumental in the opening of Ukraine's consular office in Penang in 2020.

"I spent four years here during my first assignment with the embassy and was here for another six years as an ambassador. Malaysia will always have a special place in my heart," he said, noting that he has made it a point to visit local friends in other states before he leaves for his home country on Tuesday.

Nechytaylo also expressed sincere gratitude towards Malaysia for supporting two UN resolutions relating to the conflict, including supporting and voting in favour of the 11th Emergency Special Session (ESS) of the UN General Assembly which adopted a resolution titled 'Aggression against Ukraine' on March 3 and also voting in favour on March 24 demanding civilian protection and humanitarian access in Ukraine.

"In this sense, I think Malaysia has been very supportive. Russia has clearly violated the UN charter of the international law, so Malaysia has always been vocal in protecting international law and that's where our countries meet in terms of our stance on this war," he said.

-- BERNAMA