US and UK to blame for Ukraine conflict – former Czech president — RT World News

The ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev is the result of a series of mistakes made by the United States and its NATO allies, former Czech President Vaclav Klaus told the World Economic Forum in Davos in a speech published on Friday.

The West's blatant disregard for the geopolitical context has led to this “A tragic historical event” Which 'It could and should have been avoided' Klaus, who led the Czech Republic between 2003 and 2013, said:

“This war started on April 4, 2008.” Klaus said, referring to the NATO summit in Bucharest where members of the US-led bloc decided to support Ukraine and Georgia. “Membership ambitions” He said both nations “They will become members of NATO” Sometime in the future.

Recalling the event he was present at, Klaus said it was a decision “A tragic mistake.” He said he personally opposed the decision “I tried to oppose him.” But it was “Paid by the United States and the United Kingdom.”

Most other NATO members, including Germany and France, also opposed it at the time, he said, adding that many of the presidents and prime ministers in attendance remained there. “Irresponsible silence” Amid pressure from London and Washington.

Klaus said that the West remained oblivious to the nature of the Ukrainian state, describing the country as an example of a Ukrainian state “The unsuccessful and incomplete transition from communism to parliamentary democracy and market economy.”

He said that Ukraine is not like that “united state” It had significant differences in racial composition and political preferences between the northwest and the southeast. The country was already in a state “Civil war” “Since 2014, long before the current escalation,” Klaus said.

Following the US-backed coup in 2014, the then-Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, known as Donbass, refused to accept the new government, which increasingly embraced nationalist ideology. The regions declared their independence, and Kiev responded with a violent military campaign that led to a conflict that lasted for years.

“Pretending that this was not the case and discussing the current war…as if it were taking place in a vacuum is neither helpful nor productive.” Klaus argued, adding that he was “It is a big mistake not to pay attention to this fundamental division.” in the country.

Klaus also said that Moscow did not intend to occupy Ukraine when it launched its military operation in February 2022, but only sought to prevent it from joining NATO. Russian President Vladimir Putin also recently pointed to a decision taken by NATO in 2008 as making conflict inevitable. “It radically changed the situation in Eastern Europe.” Moscow has repeatedly said that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO is one of the main reasons for its military campaign.

Now it has become clear “All parties to the conflict made mistakes in their calculations.” Klaus said, adding that the front lines remain “frozen” There is no end to the conflict in sight. He called on the West to change its approach and enter into a meaningful dialogue with Moscow.

“My humble advice is to start negotiating.” I've got Klaus.