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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The future for Vladimir Putin and his Russia looks bleak. Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko is convinced of this.
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is apparently using the war in Ukraine not only to expand his sphere of influence and make the West an enemy of Russia.
He also hopes to win the support of the nearly 40 million residents of the neighboring country. And, as is usually the case with his Russian compatriots, to rule them without restrictions.
But Viktor Yushchenko, the former President of Ukraine, says the Russian President is more likely to face an uprising among certain segments of the population in his country.
"Vladimir Putin is leading the country towards disaster," said the former Ukrainian president, during a meeting with several European media outlets in Kiev.
More than 100 indigenous groups living in 20 republics of the Russian Federation are being exploited. But in light of the current tragedy, they remember what was done to them, in some cases for several centuries. Therefore, soon they will "make their own choices and set their own goals for themselves."
Yushchenko, who served as Ukraine's president from 2005 to 2010 and was poisoned with dioxin during his successful election campaign, predicts the breakup of Russia into 20 separate republics. "I see no prospects for Russian statehood," the 71-year-old continued, arguing that Russia is a multi-ethnic state.
He also cited an example: "Yakutia is one of the richest regions in Russia. Yet two-thirds of the population lives on minimum wages. The Kremlin is grabbing natural resources without adequate compensation."
Putin fears political change among oppressed populations more than armies, says the politician, who lost his post to the Russian-backed Viktor Yanukovych.
He is "convinced that supporting the federal resistance movement in Russia is something that could change the political landscape."
However, Yushchenko complains that in Russia, "the will for freedom has been destroyed for centuries" since the beginning of the Tsarist Empire. But if millions of people took to the streets, it would be "undoubtedly the end of the dictatorship."
Regarding his country, Yushchenko says he needs more than the restoration of the 1991 territorial borders, international security guarantees and EU membership. "To achieve victory, the destruction of Putin's regime is necessary," he explains.
Just a few weeks ago, Yushchenko caused a stir when, in an interview with the Ukrainian news channel Apostrophe TV, he demanded that Kiev's troops march all the way to Moscow to achieve victory. At the same time, he said that a ceasefire along the current front "would never be my choice."
Even a return to the 1991 border would not be enough for him: "That would mean passing on the biggest problem to our children and grandchildren. The problem is Moscow." As long as Putin's regime exists, no nation in the world can live in security.
Ish presidenti i Ukraines, Viktor Jushcenka ka te drejte. Shperberja e Rusise ne 20 republika sipas kombesive do te ishte zgjidhja me e mire per te garantuar paqen ne Europe.