untitled design

France: Former Foreign Minister Sevenemann considers escalation of conflict in Ukraine possible

Former French Defense Minister and historical figure of the French Socialists Jean-Pierre Sevenemann, who was personally involved in a negotiated solution between Moscow and Kiev in 2014, in an interview with Le Figaro newspaper considers a possible escalation of the conflict in Ukraine but still “common sense” in the Russian leadership to avoid it.

Sevenemann said he was surprised by Putin’s decision to intervene in Ukraine, a decision he considered “contrary to Russia’s interests”, but also by the commitments made by the Russian president himself.

He considers it a priority today to achieve a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, which, he emphasizes, “is undoubtedly a nation that the Russians should be forced to recognize.” He asserted that Russia was no longer the superpower it was in Soviet times, but regretted that Ukraine’s independence had been built mentally against Russia, adding: while the Ukrainians, more or less armed by the Americans, have created a respectable military force in ten years. ”

He emphasizes that Russia’s internal regime is Russia’s first and foremost affair and that it is not up to external forces to set internal political goals. Asked about the victory of Ukraine or the United States, he said: “Ukraine is obviously longing to be liberated and we understand the desire of the Ukrainians to see Russian troops leave Ukraine, but the desire of the Americans is to weaken Russia. to bring it back to the level of a regional power “. He recalled that this was Brzezinski’s goal in the early 1990s. According to him, the Russians must agree on what is difficult for them, namely the reality of an independent Ukraine to agree that it is no longer the superpower it was, paralleling it with France’s withdrawal from Algeria in the 1950s.

He also considers French President Macron “one of the few” Western leaders who understood the need to maintain communication with Russia and develop a more rational basis, and said he could do much to help Russia and Ukraine find a solution, which obviously requires the withdrawal of Russian troops and the resolution of the differences between Russia and Ukraine, that is, essentially the Crimea, Donbass and the neutral regime.

He argues that France, with the Europeans, can play a mediating role, which, however, he notes, requires European sympathy, which in reality does not apply.

Regarding the French President’s position in favor of the revision of the European treaties and in particular the possible abandonment of the unanimous vote of the Member States, he notes: “This question is worth discussing. It is too early, so we are far from unanimous, which would be necessary to move forward on this path, and I find it difficult to understand how France, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, could withstand the qualified majority on foreign policy issues. ”

He also considers it “difficult” to give Ukraine a special place in building a European identity, at a time when Europeans do not see the issues of collective security and the European security balance, for a lasting peace in Europe “. However, as he states, he is not “at all hostile” to the creation of this confederation.

Source: AMPE

Source: Capital

You may also like

Get the latest

Stay Informed: Get the Latest Updates and Insights

 

Most popular