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| 04 марта, 2014

Putin Understands the Situation in Ukraine better than any Ukrainian Politician.

Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will not recognise the presidential elections in Ukraine if they are conducted in an atmosphere of terror. Konstantin Kostin, political scientist and Chairman of the Foundation of Civil Society Development, comments on the situation in Ukraine in an interview with Anna Kazakova.

President Putin held a press conference in Novo-Ogarevo, where he clarified his position on the situation in Ukraine. Putin said that people wanting independence are right to demand radical changes within the government, but what has actually happened is an unconstitutional coup and seizure of power. Putin has promised to use force only as a last resort to protect Ukrainian citizens.

AK “Putin also said that he only partially recognises the new Ukrainian authorities and that Viktor Yanukovich had no chance re-election. How do you assess such statements?”

KK “I believe that this statement absolutely reflects the political situation in Ukraine. Everyone knows that Viktor Yankovich was not popular and that had he put himself forward as a candidate for the next Presidential elections in Ukraine he would most probably not have won – or even been in the running for re-election. This is exactly what he was talking about. And when Putin said that he told Viktor Yanukovich that he had no political future he was accurately reflecting the real sentiments of Ukrainian citizens.”

“And how do you see Russia’s relations with Ukrainian authorities unfolding now?”

“Putin’s speech is the first clear analysis of the situation in Ukraine. In my opinion Putin has a much better grasp of the situation in Ukraine and the mood of those wanting independence - from the standpoint of international law, international agreements on collective security and the political situation in Ukraine – than any Ukrainian politician. What will happen? That largely depends on the ability of Ukrainian politicians to unite and act in the interests of the people.”

“How convincing was Putin’s position?”

“In my opinion it was very convincing. It was a definite challenge for the entire international community to consider to what extent world leaders are prepared to look at this situation without their rose-coloured glasses, Cold War rhetoric and orange-revolutionary romanticism.”

“In what way might Putin’s press-conference influence his relations with the West?”

“I am going to be optimistic here and hope that all members of the international community are interested in cooperation and are motivated first and foremost by wanting to promote peace, cooperation and security.”

“Then what is your reaction to the statement from the White House representative that the USA is prepared to impose sanctions against Russia and that these are likely to be imposed very soon – in a matter of days rather than weeks?”

“It is not at all clear what the USA wants to achieve with these sanctions – and indeed what sort of sanctions they envisage. Some sanctions are purely political and are meant to show everyone that you have reacted in some way and are still a major global force and can move your chess pieces around this great chess board of ours. Or else it will be some sort of real sanctions. But I believe that, in the big picture, it will not come to that, because, as President Putin said on Tuesday, everything is interconnected nowadays. So when you impose sanctions against someone, it will backfire on you at the end of the day.”

“Nevertheless, this statement was made following Vladimir Putin’s press conference and many observers saw it as being conciliatory.”

“Let us await the reaction of the European Union and leaders of the European Union. Let us await the reaction of BRICS. Our world does not revolve around a single pole or even two poles – it is far more complicated than that. It is understandable that in America there are various opinions on the present Ukrainian government both with regard to the ‘Right Sector’ and Russia’s actions.”