Putin interviewed on Ukrainian TV (10/31/04)

Putin interviewed on Ukrainian TV

RFE/RL Newsline

KYIV - President Vladimir Putin gave a live interview on Ukrainian television on October 26, Russian and Ukrainian media reported. Three major networks carried the interview. Speaking about his vision of the world order and Russia's place in it, Mr. Putin said that Russia is working with the United States to combat terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Russia is also developing ties with the European Union, which accounts for more than 50 percent of Russia's trade, he said.

Culturally, Russia is a European country, the Russian president said, despite the fact that it stretches to the Pacific Ocean. "But I, for one, believe that the world can only be multipolar," he added. "Only a multipolar world can have internal energy and stimuli for its development."

He also said that Russia has no ambition to revive the Soviet Union as such an "attempt would be counterproductive and impossible," adding, "Many in the CIS regret the loss of the Soviet Union and they are right in doing so, but once that happened, we should concentrate on the here-and-now." On the other hand, he declared that he is a staunch supporter of economic integration among CIS countries. Mr. Putin said it would be advisable to set up a supranational body for regulating tariffs on the post-Soviet area. "As for a [common] government and parliament, it is a remote prospect," he noted. "Such issues are not on the agenda today."

President Putin also said that Russia will not "purposefully support any political forces in Ukraine," as doing so could bring dangerous results.

He noted that, in recent years, the two countries have solved their border disputes and the problem of Ukrainian debt to Russia. Many observers believe that the solution of the border disputes is a sign that Russia fully recognizes Ukraine's independence. Answering a viewer's comment that a Russian naval base in Sevastopol is a violation of the Ukrainian Constitution, Mr. Putin said that Russian seamen are in Ukraine on a "provisional basis" and by agreement with the Ukrainian authorities.

The Russian president also said that after returning to Moscow he will instruct relevant state bodies to ease the border-crossing regime with Ukraine and allow Ukrainian citizens to enter Russia not only with foreign-travel passports but also domestic ones. He also promised to simplify the obligatory registration of Ukrainians entering Russia but did not elaborate.

Asked about his opinion on introducing dual citizenship in Ukraine, which is one of Viktor Yanukovych's presidential campaign pledges, President Putin said he "fears getting ahead" of some issues, adding that "any of our actions may be perceived as an attempt to restore something." He noted, however, that Ukraine, Russia and Belarus present a "special case" in this regard. "We need to think about that," he added. "When I say 'we,' I have in mind not only Russia but also Ukraine. We cannot resolve this issue unilaterally. It should mature, it should be brought forward by society itself."

Many observers have said that, by appearing on Ukrainian television, Mr. Putin is showing strong support for Ukrainian presidential candidate and Prime Minister Yanukovych.

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