The retaliatory imposition of sanctions against Ukraine is a huge mistake by Russian President Vladimir Putin, since by this action he will further alienate ordinary Ukrainians.
A former ally of fugitive President Viktor Yanukovych, ex-Rada deputy Anna German, stated this on the NewsOne channel, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“Of course, this will further worsen the economic situation in Ukraine, but I would like to say something else. It seems to me that today Putin is making a mistake if he takes mirror measures in relation to Ukraine. If I were in his place, I would demonstrate a completely different attitude towards Ukrainians than what the Ukrainian authorities are demonstrating towards Russia today. This would distinguish him very favorably against this background.
He could have said: “Look, Ukraine is now applying sanctions to us, and we are leaving our doors open to Ukraine because we understand how our sanctions will worsen the lives of ordinary Ukrainians. It is not the people’s fault that they have such power today that they made a mistake in their choice. And I, in order to protect the lives of ordinary Ukrainians, who are our brothers and sisters, will not agree to these mirror sanctions, although I could do it.”
If Putin had demonstrated such a policy, such an attitude towards Ukraine, I will tell you that in the country itself, the attitude towards him among ordinary people would have improved significantly. Unfortunately, Russia cannot rise to such noble gestures towards Ukraine,” German said.