President of the Czech Republic: Russia is more likely to become a member of the EU than Ukraine is to become a member of NATO
"I think all official steps by Russian politicians today confirm that there will be no invasion of eastern Ukraine," Czech President Miloš Zeman stated in an interview with Kommersant . He added that Europe will not insist on Crimea's return to Ukraine. Regarding Donbas, Zeman called for the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the decentralization of Ukraine, which, according to Zeman, will never become a NATO member.
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“From the point of view of international law, the annexation of Crimea is simply illegal,” says Zeman. – But from the point of view of practical politics, everything is more complicated. We talked about this with German President Joachim Gauck, and he correctly said: “The only way to return Crimea to Ukraine is war.” And no one in Europe wants war.”
“Of course, there is Russian participation [in the war in Donbass], “the Czech President continues. – I would compare it with the civil war in Spain in the 1930s. There, on one side, Germany and Italy fought, supported one side, and on the other side, the Soviet Union and partly France participated. It was a war of Spaniards against Spaniards, although there was foreign support on both sides. In this case, I am completely sure that Russia supports in various ways, but not with a regular army, those who are fighting in eastern Ukraine.”
“I would also note the need for decentralization of Ukraine,” Zeman continues. – And this means changing the constitution. They need regional self-government throughout Ukraine. It exists in almost all democratic states of the European Union. This is the first one. And second: I publicly stated that I support the neutrality of Ukraine. And, by the way, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Foreign Minister, and many others said the same thing.
As for Ukraine [joining NATO], two steps need to be taken: first, want to join the elite club called NATO. Secondly, the other members of this club must unanimously agree. But this is not the case. Not only Frank-Walter Steinmeier, but also Francois Hollande said that he was against it. But if the club members are against it, then you cannot join it. In the case of the Czech Republic, none of the existing NATO members were against it. That’s the difference, okay?” explains Miloš Zeman.
According to him, NATO members have no interest in accepting Ukraine with its paramilitary battalions and gigantic economic problems. “Let there be peace, let the risk of civil war disappear... Some kind of long-term process must begin, which will last 15-20 years.
And who knows what will happen in 20 years? Maybe, for example, Russia will become a member of the European Union. After all, our economies complement each other. Russia needs modern technologies, the European Union needs energy resources,” Zeman said.
Czech President : Russia is more likely to become an EU member than Ukraine is to become a NATO member