Former president of Ukraine, in a rare interview for the Russian press: the accession of Ukraine in NATO would be “a direct path to civil war”

Viktor Ianukovici was the protagonist of a rare public appearances on Monday, in the Russian press, and accused the representatives of the European Union of “were arrogant” in discussions with Kiev before being removed from power, AFP reports.

Former Ukrainian president January, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, fled to Russia in 2014, after trying to suppress the pro -European stupid in Ukraine, who had been triggered by his decision to abandon an association with the Community Bloc.

In a rare interview, given to Russian news agencies, which was published on Monday, he accused the European Union of behaving “inappropriate” during integration discussions.

“They did not show an understanding of the complexity of the economic situation in Ukraine.

He claims that a possible accession of Ukraine to NATO would be “a direct path to civil war.”

“I have always been a categorical and convinced opponent of Ukraine's accession to NATO,” added the former president.

The Russian news agencies did not specify when or where the interview was registered.

The independent Russian press claims that it was the first public appearance of Viktor Yanukovici since it launched Russia wide offensive against Ukraine, in February 2022.

Ukrainian justice to convict for betrayal

When Ianukovici was in power, the security forces killed dozens of protesters who had established their camp in the Maidan Square in the center of Kiev and demanded pro-EU reforms, in what became known as the Euromaidan Revolution of Ukraine in winter 2013-2014.

Viktor Ianukovici was dismissed by the Ukraine's Parliament due to bloodshed.

In 2019, an Ukrainian court found guilty of betrayal, for his attempt to stifle the protests. Thus, Ianukovici was sentenced, to miss, to 13 years in prison.

President Volodimir Zelenski withdrew Ukrainian citizenship in 2023.