Ukrainians will never agree to accept a puppet leader

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Ms. Tsintsadze, how do you assess the events in Ukraine? Were the Ukrainians ready for what happened? What is the political and psychological situation in Ukraine now?

The current events in Ukraine are the culmination of centuries of Moscow's attempts to dissolve Ukraine into itself, wipe us off the face of the earth and finally appropriate our history and culture. Without Ukraine there would be no Russian Empire and imaginary greatness. This myth is untenable without Ukraine. The decisive battle of civilizations is now underway. Let me remind you that the Ukrainian people have been repulsing Russian aggression for the 8th year (which has been going on intermittently for more than 300 years) and we have become significantly stronger during this time. But, of course, our people were not ready for the atrocities committed by the Russian invaders on our land. But we are successfully beating the occupiers, the people are united as never before. This is a real liberation war, a war for truth, a war of good against evil.

Don't Ukrainians feel that they are alone in their struggle? The West makes statements, imposes sanctions, but there is no practical support. Ukraine alone is fighting against Russia. What do people think about it? How does it affect them?

We have never really relied on anyone; we know that no one will fight for us. However, the West is still actively helping us, and their policies are undergoing extraordinary changes every day. We are grateful to our partners for weapons, sanctions, financial, humanitarian, diplomatic support and acceptance of refugees. We Ukrainians are working to get the West to take even more drastic measures. Ukrainians see everything and remember everything - help, inaction, and silence. Those who are silent now will be very ashamed when we win.

There is an opinion that the West is sacrificing Ukraine for its own interests. In other words, the West is allegedly trying to bring Russia to its knees, taking advantage of what is happening in Ukraine. They are not interested in Ukraine getting out of this situation, but in overthrowing the regime in Russia. What can you say about this?

Firstly, not “on” Ukraine, but “in” Ukraine. Russian soldiers have already understood this, having tasted our land. Secondly, your question relays a purely Moscow narrative. Nobody attacked Russia. It was Russia that attacked Ukraine and has been waging a hybrid war against the entire free world for many years, destroying the post-war world order. The thesis you voiced is true in only one thing - Russia will collapse, but not at the will of the West, but because of the criminal actions of the leadership of Russia itself and the love of Russians for war. They wanted war - they will get it with all the ensuing consequences, up to the collapse of this bloodthirsty empire. It is an honor for us to put her in her grave and to do this a great favor to all the peoples who have suffered and are suffering in this prison.

Political observers say Russia's main goal is to seize power in Ukraine. That is, to achieve a change of power in Ukraine and appoint a puppet leader. If the situation worsens, will the Ukrainians put up with it?

The situation is getting worse only for Russia itself. I think that the nationwide rebuff to the aggressor that we are now demonstrating is the answer to your question. Ukrainians will never agree to accept a puppet leader. And there is, unfortunately, still living proof of this - Yanukovych is sitting in Rostov.

What lessons should the post-Soviet countries and the West draw from this situation?

Russia in its current form will never be a reliable partner. This fueling country (raw material appendage of economically developed countries - ed. note) has no friends - it can only have slaves or enemies. Living near Russia, you cannot relax even for a second. This Mordor must be destroyed, and henceforth, the world must not appease tyrants.

Kamran Mahmudov