Not Russia and Putin, but the EU and the USA provoked a crisis in Ukraine, the ex-president of the Czech Republic believes

Not Russia and not President Vladimir Putin, but the West, led by the European Union and United States, contributed to the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. This opinion in an interview with CT24 was expressed by the former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus. According to him, at present, Ukraine is in a too difficult situation to clearly say who it wants to lean on - to the West or to Russia.

Ukraine must decide its future path, without outside interference, the ex-president believes. Klaus expressed the opinion that the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine "is definitely not in the interests of the Kremlin." As the ex-leader of the Czech Republic is sure, President Putin does not need such a confrontation after the successfully conducted Olympics in Sochi. "Not Russia and Putin was the reason that the Kiev Maidan broke out. The situation was turned over Western Europe, the United States," Klaus said.

The Western powers began to provoke Ukraine to aggravate the conflict, which ultimately led to the strengthening of the contradictions between the Kiev and the eastern regions and the country began to threaten a split, the politician said. “I spoke from the very beginning, do not put it on Ukraine, you will destroy it and destroy it. This, unfortunately, happened,” Klaus noted. The Ukrainian people must choose their future - without any pressure from the outside, he is sure. “Please stop any intervention from the east or from the west,” the ex -president called.

According to Klaus, the West has not yet provided any significant assistance to Ukraine. He recalled that, for example, US Vice President Joe Biden promised $ 50 million, but this amount looks just ridiculous in the light of the country's problems. Klaus noted that this is only 0.06% of Ukraine's GDP.

"This is a very funny help. I wonder how much the flight of Biden Vice President to Ukraine cost, is it not so approximately?" - Klaus asked with irony, whose words RIA Novosti quoted. “I do not believe that Ukraine will help,” he said, emphasizing that he is not a supporter of the “international distribution of money”.

Recall that the Czech authorities consistently support the position and decisions of the EU, adopted in connection with the escalation of the situation in Ukraine. So, President Milos Zeman said that the European Union should take measures against Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier than it occurs. The Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic announced the readiness to send 300 military personnel to strengthen the protection of the Polish-Ukrainian border, as well as four fighters to patrol the territory over the Baltic countries.

Martin Stropnitsky officially stated NATO Secretary General for Anders Fogg Rasmussen that fighters are ready to get into the air at any time, and to send military personnel it will take only a couple of hours of training, Radio.cz reported.

The Czech Republic also demonstrates the favors of Ukraine. Since April 22, Prague decided to simplify the issuance of short -term visas for citizens of Ukraine. All petitioners with Czech roots, young people under 26 years old and pensioners over 60 years old will now be exempted from payments for registration of visas.