WARSAW, April 23 (RIA Novosti) – Actions by European and US leaders have provoked an uncontrollable conflict in Ukraine, which must remain free to decide on its own path of development, former Czech President Vaclav Klaus said on local TV Wednesday.
“Neither Russia, nor Putin are to blame for what has happened on Kiev’s Maidan [Square]. The situation has been turned around by Western Europe and the US,” said Klaus.
The former president said that external pressure on the diverse country to choose between East or West had led to the present crisis.
“I always said, don’t pressure Ukraine, you will ruin it, destroy it. This is exactly what is happening now,” said Klaus.
Klaus criticized the Western stand on financial aid to Ukraine, specifically citing the promise by US Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday to give Kiev $50 million to help with economic and political reforms. This paltry sum amounts to only 0.06 percent of Ukraine’s GDP, according to Klaus.
“This is ridiculous aid. I wonder about the cost of Vice President Biden’s flight to Ukraine, isn’t it approximately the same sum? I don’t believe that Ukraine will receive any help,” said Klaus.
Ukraine has been on the verge of economic collapse since it went through a regime change on February 22, which saw the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych and the rise of Western-backed ultra-nationalistic activists in Kiev.
Moscow and several regions in Ukraine have not acknowledged the legitimacy of the new authorities and have condemned its nationalistic policies. Kiev currently owes Moscow some $35.4 billion, which was provided over the last four years as a subsidy via gas discounts.
In a bid to de-escalate the ongoing conflict, top diplomats from Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union met in Geneva last week and agreed on a statement calling on all parties in Ukraine to disarm, refrain from violence and begin national dialogue on constitutional reform.
