This is an unusual visit to the Berlin edition: Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, after talks with Angela Merkel in the office of the Chancellor devoted more hours of his time to answer the questions of our editors. To protect the President of the state, in a state of war, the Windows had to be blacked out. Employees Poroshenko repeatedly interrupted the interview and handed the President the phone: news from the front in the East of Ukraine.
Mr. President, now America controls the Donald trump. What this means for peace efforts in Ukraine?
Petro Poroshenko: the American people made a choice that should be respected. The United States is a world power, and before Donald trump it is necessary to strengthen the global leadership of their country. I would not like to comment on speculation about who could be friends and who enemies of the new President. The fundamental interests of the United States was determined not Donald trump or Barack Obama and the founding fathers of the United States 200 years ago: freedom and democracy. Ukraine has exactly the same interests, and she fights against Russian aggression.
The trump favour of the abolition of sanctions against Russia…
— Do You know who most wants the lifting of those sanctions? The President Poroshenko. But before that Russia should bring our territory with all their troops to Ukraine to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty. A hasty easing of sanctions would strengthen the Russian aggression against Ukraine and would represent a threat to Europe. Who knows where Putin next time you want to rush to the aid of the Russian minority. In The Baltic States? In Bulgaria? Or maybe in Germany? With a brutal violation of international law can never be tolerated.
The sanctions were minor…
— Sanctions act. Russia pays high price for its aggression. Living standards dropped significantly, the Russian currency depreciated. This authorization hold Putin to the negotiating table and force it to be fully implemented the Minsk peace agreement.
You met with Chancellor Merkel. What kind of support You expect from Germany: purely diplomatic or military?
We do not expect any military assistance. We have our own weapons and we can fight for our independence. If You ask me what support I need from the European Union, I will give a simple answer: unity. A United Europe led by Germany and France may encourage Russia to respect the Minsk agreement.
And You stick to it? The agreement requires Kiev to grant East Ukraine more autonomy…
— We have already provided the Donetsk-Luhansk region more rights for self-government. Now we are talking about the fact that Russia adhered to the agreements on security issues. This includes a broad ceasefire, withdrawal of all Russian troops and weapons systems and the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. All this is not respected by Russia.
What are your hopes for NATO, to which Donald trump treats with undisguised contempt?
— NATO is indispensable. It would be absolutely irresponsible to weaken transatlantic cooperation. President trump wants to discuss NATO funding, not to question the existence of a defensive Alliance. I firmly believe that NATO is the only functioning collective security organization.
Whether NATO membership is a realistic goal for Ukraine?
What matters to me is the position of the Ukrainian population. Four years ago, exactly 16% supported Ukraine’s membership in NATO. Now it is 54%. As President, I am guided by the views of their people and conduct a referendum on joining NATO. And if the Ukrainians vote for it, I will do everything in order to achieve membership in the Atlantic Alliance.
Does that apply also to the accession to the EU?
— The most joyful event of the twentieth century for me is the creation of the European Union. I’m a passionate European and I am proud that you are the President of one of the most committed countries on the continent. More than 70% of Ukrainians support European Union. This is remarkable in times of Breccia and right-wing populism.
Your Prime Minister Groysman in an interview with this editorial Board predicted the accession to the EU in ten years…
I appreciate his optimism. It thereby motivates our country with the necessary reforms. Europe needs to understand that she would be safer, safer and happier. And we’re good ways of meeting the criteria for entry. So, we significantly reduced the budget deficit and inflation…
…but failed to cope with corruption.
We’ve created a unique infrastructure for the fight against corruption, and it functions. It felt also high-ranking officials. We have introduced the electronic accounting system of all income of public officials, and each employee must complete the appropriate application. I am not surprised that Russian propaganda is trying to discredit our efforts.
When Ukraine will fulfill the preconditions for joining the EU?
Now this will not last too long. However, important political will. I wish Europe was stronger and more unified than it is now. Right-wing populism is a great danger for the cohesion of the Europeans. This applies to Italy, Austria, Hungary and Germany. Right-wing populism in the European Union must be fought…
…but how?
— Europeans should oppose something populist propaganda, especially from Russia. They need a new strategy for communication. Ought to encourage the European Union to create a broadcast channel in the Russian language. Then the voters of Russian origin in the European Union would no longer be tied to this propaganda channel, Russia Today. They would have an alternative source of information. This would contribute to the development of democracy in Europe.
In Germany there will be elections in the autumn. Who would You prefer as the new head of government: Angela Merkel and her rival from the SPD, Martin Schulz?
— Both delicious. I respect the choice of the German population, unless it is to vote for the populists.
