Crimea is a territory of Ukraine only in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, while Ukraine itself has become a colony of the West.
Such a statement was made in an interview with Novaya Gazeta by Viktor Medvedchuk, Vladimir Putin’s great friend, and representative to the humanitarian subgroup of the Tripartite Contact Group on the Donbas. (Medvedchuk is chairman of the pro-Russian political organization Ukrainian Choice and an opponent of Ukraine joining the European Union. Russian president Vladimir Putin is godfather to Medvedchuk’s daughter Darina (born in 2004). Medvedchuk and his party have marginal popular support in Ukraine-Ed).
Medvedchuk claims that Ukraine had an independent foreign policy before Viktor Yushchenko was elected president.
“That was true until 2005 … But, when Yushchenko was elected president, Ukraine became an object manipulated by other powers. When Yushchenko’s pro-Western team came to power, Ukraine fell under external management: Brussels and Washington dictate conditions and impose their policy. I won’t bother mentioning Ukraine’s dependence on external creditors. Ukraine has become a colony of the West. Today, it’s important to restore our country’s economic and political sovereignty.”
Medvedchuk also believes that the Ukrainian government has done nothing to return occupied Crimea to Ukraine, which is only de jure a part of Ukraine.
“Crimea is a territory of Ukraine only according to Ukrainian legislation (de jure). But, de facto, it’s a territory of Russia.”
In addition, he claims that Donbas residents do not wish to return to Ukraine.
“If anyone believes that people in Luhansk and Donetsk are clamouring to return to Ukraine, then they live in a delusional world. I can say this freely as I’ve had the opportunity of talking with people who live there.”
As member of the humanitarian subgroup of the Tripartite Contact Group on the Donbas, Medvedchuk previously announced “DNR” and “LNR” demands with regard to prisoner exchange.
“I can give you the exact figures. The OSCE may be confused, but we aren’t. We’re looking at 113 Ukrainians that are being held prisoner in “DNR” and “LNR” territories. In addition, there are 647 missing…”
“On the other hand, “DNR” and “LNR” representatives are searching for 946 persons allegedly held captive on territories controlled by Ukraine. To date, we’ve established 602 individuals, some of whom have already been convicted and are serving their sentences, others are under arrest and their cases are being investigated.”
For more information on Viktor Medvedchuk, please go to: Close Friend of Russian Leader Takes Role as a Negotiator for Ukraine and What does Medvedchuk want?
