Russia warns Ukraine could be ‘split into smaller countries’
Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev – Photo: TASS
Nikolai Patrushev, also a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, accused the United States of trying for years to instill anti-Russian sentiment among Ukrainians.
“However, history has taught us that hatred can never become a reliable factor in national unity,” Patrushev said.
“If there is one thing that can unite the people of Ukraine today, it is the fear of the brutality of the nationalist battalions (in the Ukrainian army),” said Patrushev. refers to units of the armed forces of Ukraine, which Russia sees as part of the reason it launched the military operation.
Therefore, Mr. Patrushev believes that the policies of the West and the Ukrainian government can lead to the separation of Ukraine into a number of smaller states.
Just a few days before the launch of the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the independence of the two self-proclaimed republics of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Republic of Ukraine. People of Lugansk (LPR) in the Donbass region, eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian government and Western countries have criticized the move.
Last week, the deputy commander of Russia’s Central Military District, Major General Rustam Minnekayev, said that Russia plans to take complete control of the Donbass region and southern Ukraine as it carries out the second phase of its military operation in Ukraine.
He said that control of the Donbass region would allow Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean peninsula, while full control of southern Ukraine would improve Russia’s access to the breakaway Transdniestria region (which is said to be pro-Russian). Russia) of Moldova. Transdniestria borders Ukraine, and Kiev worries that the region could be used by Russia as a launching pad for new attacks.
According to Reuters news agency, General Minnekayev’s statement is one of the most detailed Russian statements to date about Moscow’s ambitions in Ukraine. This also suggests that Russia may not have plans to end its military campaign in Ukraine anytime soon.
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