Volker: There is personal animosity between Putin and Poroshenko
US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker believes that there is a development of personal animosity between president Putin and president Poroshenko.
Censor.NET reports citing UNIAN.
In light of the fifth anniversary of Russian annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, both the United States and the European Union insist that they will never recognize the seizure and vow to continue sanctioning Moscow until it completely restores Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as Kurt Volker, the U.S. Special Representative to Ukraine, asserted on March 18.
When asked about his calculations regarding a possible outcome of the upcoming March 31 presidential elections in Ukraine, Volker noted that no matter who would win the race.
Besides, although asserting that the United States supported the principles of freedom and democracy rather than any specific candidate of Ukraine’s presidential race, Volker also noted that the Kremlin clearly sought to see the country’s currently serving President Petro Poroshenko failing to get elected for the second term.
"I think it is true…and it is something that Russia itself has said, that they want Poroshenko defeated, and that’s simply a fact," Volker said. "I think that there’s just been a development of personal animosity between president Putin and president Poroshenko, and (Moscow) is just looking for a change.
"I’m not sure however that identifies any particular candidates, saying ‘This is our candidate that will win and we’ll get something from that. And that’s because of what we have talked about before — Ukrainian society has become so cohesive in the sense of national identity and demands what its government will do, so I’m not sure if any candidate, no matter who wins, will be in a position to really give presents to Russia as a result."
