Azarov opines on true goals of EU peacekeepers in Ukraine

MINSK, 27 February (BelTA) – The deployment of the so-called European peacekeepers in Ukraine implies the occupation of the country by NATO troops and an attempt to include it in the North Atlantic Alliance, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said in the latest episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA's YouTube channel.

“The deployment of the so-called European peacekeepers in Ukraine represents an obstacle to the peace process. This is absolutely clear. What does the deployment of European peacekeepers mean? It means the occupation of Ukraine by NATO troops. In fact, this means dragging Ukraine into NATO through peacekeepers. What kind of peacekeepers are they became clear from what OSCE did in Donbass. They stayed there for eight years. Did they help in any way?” Nikolai Azarov asked.

In addition, the former prime minister added that the Russian leadership is unlikely to agree to such a move, even if US President Donald Trump upholds it. “I do not understand though why he would support it. By the way, he kept silent on it,” Nikolai Azarov remarked.

The former prime minister added that the deployment of peacekeepers could trigger unpredictable developments. “Let’s say, a provocation takes place. They bring in these peacekeepers, then suddenly some of them are killed in a shelling... A more bloody war would begin,” he believes.