In an interview with CNN, this Thursday (24), FAAP professor of International Relations Carlos Gustavo Poggio evaluated the tension scenario in eastern Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in the Donbas region. In the professor’s assessment, the “war has begun” and Putin can plan a “change of presidents” in Ukraine.
In a speech this morning, Putin announced the operation in the region that is controlled by pro-Russian separatists; area he declared independent this week.
“First thing, the war started, if there was any doubt that Vladimir Putin was willing to go to the extreme, he has made that very clear in his speech. He has not said that he will only stop in these regions, he has said that Ukraine has no right to exist as a sovereign nation, that’s basically it”, commented the professor.
In a press conference on Tuesday (22), Putin said that the Minsk accords no longer exist and that they will provide separatist regions with “appropriate aid”, including military assistance. Putin discouraged Ukraine from joining NATO and once again accused the Eastern European country of planning to acquire nuclear weapons, which he called a threat. He then said that there must be a demilitarization of Ukraine.
“He [Putin] said he is going to demilitarize Ukraine, it is not clear what he means by that. I think his plan – in the realm of speculation – might be to overthrow the current president Zelensky and put in a puppet president,” said Poggio.
“Putin will not stop at the eastern region of Ukraine, we are facing a crucial moment in international relations”, added the interviewee.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop “attacking Ukraine” and give peace a chance. The statement took place during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council in the early hours of Thursday (24).
“This whole security architecture is a slap in the face to the West, minutes after a UN Security Council meeting to discuss this issue. He seems not at all worried about it, Putin is determined to disrespect the UN,” said the professor.
“We shouldn’t expect any kind of action from the UN other than asking to give peace a chance.”
understand the conflict
After months of military escalation and intemperance on the Ukrainian border, Russia is increasing pressure on its former Soviet neighbor, threatening to destabilize Europe and involve the United States.
Russia has been tightening its military grip around Ukraine for the past year, amassing tens of thousands of troops, equipment and artillery at the country’s gates.
The mobilization prompted warnings from US intelligence officials that a Russian invasion could be imminent.
In recent weeks, diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions have not come to a conclusion. On Monday (21), Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, two Ukrainian separatist areas.
The escalation in the years-long conflict between Russia and Ukraine has set off the continent’s biggest security crisis since the Cold War, raising the specter of a dangerous confrontation between Western powers and Moscow.
Source: CNN Brasil
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