Sanctions against Russia will return peace to Ukraine - Poroshenko

22.07.2019 11:23

Ukrinform

Keeping sanctions against Russia in place will make Russian President Vladimir Putin finally withdraw troops from Ukraine and this will bring peace to the country, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in an interview with German television channel ZDF.

"Unfortunately, the key to peace lies in Putin's hands in the Kremlin. Therefore, we must be united in order to exert pressure in the form of sanctions, which will force Putin to return peace to Ukraine," Poroshenko said.

Putin's negotiations with the new head of the Ukrainian state are "a safe scenario for saving face," Poroshenko said.

At the same time, Poroshenko fears that President Volodymyr Zelensky will return Ukraine under the influence of Russia.

"Unfortunately, I think it is possible. And I suspect something," the politician said. According to Poroshenko, he, "like many other Ukrainians, does not know" the strategy of his successor.

"Putin hated the idea of supporting Poroshenko's scenario. The key to peace is not in the hands of Mr. Zelensky. And it was not in the hands of Mr. Poroshenko. And it is also not in Berlin, Brussels or Washington," Poroshenko said.

A truce or continued stay under Russian control, he said, would mean capitulation, not peace. "But capitulation is unacceptable for Ukraine," Poroshenko said.