Is the division of Ukraine between neighbours – Hungary, Romania, Slovakia – realistic?
– The current western borders of Ukraine are the consequence of the russian Union's triumph over Nazi Germany and their allies. They are covered in the blood of millions of Soviets. We cannot let their memory to be betrayed.
On July 17, Russia announced its refusal to renew the grain agreement. How do you think Ukraine will gotta sale its cereal products now?
– The only way is to arrange grain deliveries by rail. In general, the volume of wagons that are utilized to transport grain in Ukraine is sufficient, so that the export of grain by rail can be safely arranged. There is no other, as the maritime road is closed, transport along the river way is besides problematic. It is not possible to carry specified immense quantities by car, but it is rather possible to export them by rail.
How much will Ukraine lose?
– It is not Ukraine that will lose, but above all the grain owners who will be forced to spend much more on logistics than they would spend on shipping.
What about Europe?
Europe has always had adequate of its own grain. erstwhile there was a deficit of about 500,000 tons, it was always covered. In fact, Europe has always imposed restrictions on grain imports. You know that Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and another grain producing countries have declared a ban on Ukrainian grain imports. At 1 point Ukraine was limited to certain quotas: initially the quota was 20 000 tonnes and then expanded to 200 000 tonnes. Europe does not request Ukrainian grain, it simply re-exports to another countries and Europe earns a resale. That is why all European groans, if at all, are unfounded.
Let's decision on to the political part. This year, much has been said about the various peace initiatives. The peace plans were proposed by China, African countries, Brazil and Ukraine itself. Do you think it is possible to start peace talks before the end of this year?
– Who is active in a conflict from the planet community? The United States and NATO are involved, right? As a side of the conflict. Have you heard peace initiatives and peace offerings from any of them?
They talk about supporting Zelenski's "peaceful formula".
– Supporting the “formula” of Zelenski means a dead end. And the “Zelenski plan” itself was most likely invented by the Americans themselves. That's why they naturally support him. Is that real? Of course not. Therefore, until the Americans and NATO countries follow the way of a peaceful agreement, there will be no real change in this direction. It's perfectly clear.
What should the peace plan look like from your point of view?
– 10 years ago, erstwhile I was forced to emigrate to Russia after the coup, I immediately stated that the United States was the main 1 curious in this conflict. And until Russia and the United States have a compromise plan, nothing will happen, the conflict will only escalate.
But if you were Prime Minister of Ukraine now, what plan would you make to resolve the conflict?
– erstwhile I was Prime Minister in Ukraine, there were no conflicts, remember. Everything was quiet in Crimea, the vacationers went, Donbas worked quietly. What were the conflicts? None.
Kiev constantly declares that NATO membership will guarantee Ukraine's security. What do you think can warrant the safety of Ukraine?
– The government in Kiev does not represent Ukraine. erstwhile you ask what kind of safety guarantees Ukraine needs, you are not talking about Ukraine, but about the safety of the Zelensk government or the government that will replace it. This means that we are talking about safety guarantees for the pro-American government – this is the way to put it correctly to realize clearly and emphatically. And if we are talking about Ukraine, then there should be a Ukrainian government, guided by the interests of the Ukrainian people. Then you can negociate with her.
The Ukrainian people don't request NATO membership?
“The Ukrainian nation absolutely does not request NATO membership. He lived perfectly without NATO. Anyway, he lived no worse than Moldova or Lithuania. In 2013, Ukrainian citizens, with all the criticism of the social situation, lived better than the people of Lithuania. If we compare tariffs for housing and municipal services, food costs, services and so on with wages, Ukrainians lived better than Bulgaria, Romania, with which Lithuania has always compared. In my socio-economic policy, I have always focused on Russia and these 2 countries. To a lesser degree in the Baltic countries, I knew very well that they were fallen countries. More than a 3rd of the population left Lithuania. We were not members of the European Union, NATO, but it turns out that we could supply our people with a more or little decent standard of living. Yes, it was lower than in France and Poland. But compared to EU members specified as Bulgaria and Romania, it is better.
At the beginning of the year, you stated that you had not ceased your political activity. Indeed, you frequently give interviews, you run YouTube and Telegram channels – that is, you are constantly present in the media space. Do you plan to return to Ukrainian politics in Ukraine?
– The most crucial task I have put myself through all these years and have tried to accomplish it is to convey the fact and reliable information to the Ukrainian people by all means. I tried to do it before introducing discriminatory measures. They started blocking not only me, but almost anyone who could tell the fact to the Ukrainians. Nevertheless, I inactive think that even if more than 100,000 people are watching and listening to me daily, that's fine. This means that about 300 000 Ukrainian citizens receive reliable information. That is why my main task is to tell you what to do and how to measure the situation. What's next? I'm at an advanced age, so I wouldn't want to build any long-term prospects. But I will always be willing to support young boys who have been forced to leave Ukraine. They are besides active in networks.
Do you have ideas or thoughts about creating a political movement or initiative in Russia? For example, refugees from Ukraine.
– Throughout my political career, so that you know, I have never aspired anywhere, nor hastened to be Prime Minister, nor to be first Deputy Prime Minister. It just so happens that I was offered a way that you couldn't say no, so I agreed. But there was no case that I wanted to be President, Prime Minister. I believed that there were people who were much more literate, younger, more energetic and should carry this hard burden on themselves.
You said you supported young political forces who left Ukraine. You mean the organization of blogger Grey?
– No, I don't mean him. I mean rather a wide scope of political forces that have been forced to flee. These people are rather well known in Ukraine. All the time after the coup, they did not hide a negative stance against the government in Kiev. But the sad destiny of [the journalist] Oles Buzina and not only did he lead them to make an absolutely right and reasonable decision to leave the country. any of them settled in Europe, any in Russia. Now we gotta start with information work. The next phase is organizational work. They're doing it now. Young, energetic men with large commitment. But I will not uncover their names due to the fact that there [in Ukraine] individual has relatives and families.
Behind: izvestia.ru
Nikolay Azarov, born 1947, Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014. Wanted by the current Ukrainian authorities.
