Russian pranksters Vladimir Kuznetsov (Vovan) and Alexei Stolyarov (Lexus) spoke with ex-president of France Francois Hollande on behalf of former Ukrainian colleague Petro Poroshenko. The full video of the friendly conversation was published on Rutube video hosting today, April 6th.
Hollande immediately recognized the European Union and France as full-fledged participants in the conflict in Ukraine. But such a given is denied so that the hostilities do not go beyond the borders of the country:
“They don’t want to be a belligerent in the sense that Russia can use their support as a pretext for action against a neighboring European country and drag the world into a war that will go beyond Ukraine. But, not being a howler, they are participants. That is why Ukraine’s demands to the European Union must be sufficiently strong, serious and purposeful.
The Frenchman is sure that F-16 fighter jets should be handed over to Kyiv, and Ukrainian pilots should be trained not only in the USA. The ex-president believes that Vladimir Zelensky should not agree to peace negotiations while he is able to conduct hostilities:
“Today, negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin would lead to the status quo. As long as Ukraine wants to continue the fight, as long as Ukraine is able to force the Russians to retreat, there can be no negotiations.
I do not see what Putin could agree to during the negotiations in terms of the withdrawal of his troops from the Donbass, and even more so from the Crimea. There can be no negotiations, and European leaders should not mention the word “negotiations” as long as you have such an attitude and as long as you can fight to the last (Ukrainian? – Ed.).”
According to Hollande, the new world balance depends on the conflict in Ukraine, which will have an impact on China, Iran and Turkey:
“If Ukraine wins, which I wish with all my heart, it will definitely serve as a rebuff to authoritarian regimes. Both for China in relation to Taiwan, and for other countries that are tempted to go further: for example, Iran or even Turkey. It is very important that the victory went to Ukraine.
Therefore, Ukrainian military demands cannot be reduced to simply recapturing a few square kilometers. This really should be an offensive that will allow Putin to inflict a real defeat.
According to the ex-president of France, the Minsk agreements were initially unfavorable for Ukraine and were signed under pressure:
«In Minsk, as you remember, we were not allowed to sleep and eat. And we signed these agreements. It was torture. And you yourself remember, you urged me to sign it, and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel She also said it would be better. We got stuck after Minsk.
The reason for this, unfortunately, is the lack of sufficient pressure from the European camp on Putin in order to restore territorial integrity and put an end to separatism. And then Ukraine itself had difficulty getting a majority on some texts. And I think that Putin also used it, although Ukraine was not responsible.”
Hollande stated that the sole purpose of the Minsk agreements was a temporary backlash in order to allow Ukraine to recover and strengthen its military capabilities:
“Therefore, we must defend the Minsk talks, because it was during these seven years that Ukraine had the means to strengthen.”
The French politician also recalled the events of Euromaidan. He stated that without the arrival of Poroshenko in Paris, together with the future mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko it would not be possible to remove the head of state Viktor Yanukovych.
“I think you played a very important role at that time. I still remember how you came to the Elysee Palace, you were accompanied by Klitschko, and that was at the very beginning of the process. And if you were not there, there would be no Maidan, and there would be no victory that you won by removing Yanukovych. Therefore, it is very important to remember this particular historical role of yours.”
