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PARIS: He was Vladimir Putin’s first prime minister however Mikhail Kasyanov by no means in his worst nightmares imagined that his former boss would unleash a full-scale struggle on Ukraine.
Chatting with AFP in a video interview, Kasyanov, Russia’s prime minister from 2000 to 2004, mentioned he anticipated the struggle may last as long as two years however he was satisfied Russia may return to a democratic path.
The 64-year-old, who championed shut ties with the West as prime minister, mentioned that, like many different Russians, he didn’t consider within the weeks forward of the struggle that it could really occur.
Kasyanov solely understood that Putin was not bluffing when he noticed him summon the nation’s high management for a theatrical assembly of the safety council three days earlier than the invasion on February 24.
“Once I noticed the assembly of Russia’s Safety Council I realised, sure, there will likely be a struggle,” Kasyanov mentioned.
He added that he felt that Putin was already not pondering correctly.
“I simply know these individuals and by them I noticed that Putin is already out of it. Not in a medical sense however in political phrases,” he mentioned.
“I knew a unique Putin.”
After being sacked by Putin, Kasyanov joined Russia’s opposition and have become one of many Kremlin’s most vocal critics.
He’s now the chief of the opposition Folks’s Freedom occasion, or Parnas.
Kasyanov mentioned Putin, a former KGB agent who turns 70 in October, has managed over the previous 20 years to construct a system primarily based on impunity and worry.
“These are the achievements of a system that, with the encouragement of Putin as head of state, has began working even in a extra cynical, merciless method than within the closing phases of the Soviet Union,” he mentioned.
“Primarily, this can be a KGB system primarily based on full lawlessness. It’s clear that they don’t anticipate any punishment.”
Kasyanov mentioned he had left Russia due to the struggle and was residing in Europe however he declined to reveal his location out of concern for his security.
His shut ally and fellow opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was gunned down close to the Kremlin in 2015.
Putin’s best-known critic Alexei Navalny, 46, was poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020 and is now in jail.
Kasyanov predicted the struggle may final for as much as two years and mentioned it’s crucial that Ukraine win.
“If Ukraine falls, the Baltic states will likely be subsequent,” he mentioned.
The result of the struggle will even decide Russia’s future, he mentioned.
Kasyanov mentioned he “categorically” disagreed with French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that Putin shouldn’t be humiliated.
He additionally rebuffed requires Ukraine to cede territory to finish the struggle.
“What has Putin executed to deserve this?” he mentioned. “That is a very pragmatic place.
“I consider that is incorrect and hope that the West will not go down that path.”
Kasyanov believes Putin will finally get replaced by a “quasi-successor” managed by the safety companies.
However a successor wouldn’t have the ability to management the system for lengthy and finally Russia will stage free and truthful elections, the previous prime minister mentioned.
“I’m sure that Russia will return to the trail of constructing a democratic state,” he mentioned.
He estimated it could take a couple of decade to conduct “de-Communisation” and “de-Putinisation” of the nation.
“This will likely be tough, particularly after this legal struggle.”
He mentioned belief must be re-established with European nations, which he known as Russia’s “pure companions”.
Critics have up to now accused the Russian opposition of being hopelessly divided however Kasyanov mentioned he was assured issues would now be totally different.
“I’ve little doubt that now, after the tragedy that we’re all witnessing, the opposition will unite.”
Russians will face an enormous activity rebuilding their nation, he mentioned.
“Every thing should be rebuilt anew. Primarily, a whole set of financial and social reforms needs to be began another time.
“These are huge and tough duties and so they should be executed.”
Chatting with AFP in a video interview, Kasyanov, Russia’s prime minister from 2000 to 2004, mentioned he anticipated the struggle may last as long as two years however he was satisfied Russia may return to a democratic path.
The 64-year-old, who championed shut ties with the West as prime minister, mentioned that, like many different Russians, he didn’t consider within the weeks forward of the struggle that it could really occur.
Kasyanov solely understood that Putin was not bluffing when he noticed him summon the nation’s high management for a theatrical assembly of the safety council three days earlier than the invasion on February 24.
“Once I noticed the assembly of Russia’s Safety Council I realised, sure, there will likely be a struggle,” Kasyanov mentioned.
He added that he felt that Putin was already not pondering correctly.
“I simply know these individuals and by them I noticed that Putin is already out of it. Not in a medical sense however in political phrases,” he mentioned.
“I knew a unique Putin.”
After being sacked by Putin, Kasyanov joined Russia’s opposition and have become one of many Kremlin’s most vocal critics.
He’s now the chief of the opposition Folks’s Freedom occasion, or Parnas.
Kasyanov mentioned Putin, a former KGB agent who turns 70 in October, has managed over the previous 20 years to construct a system primarily based on impunity and worry.
“These are the achievements of a system that, with the encouragement of Putin as head of state, has began working even in a extra cynical, merciless method than within the closing phases of the Soviet Union,” he mentioned.
“Primarily, this can be a KGB system primarily based on full lawlessness. It’s clear that they don’t anticipate any punishment.”
Kasyanov mentioned he had left Russia due to the struggle and was residing in Europe however he declined to reveal his location out of concern for his security.
His shut ally and fellow opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was gunned down close to the Kremlin in 2015.
Putin’s best-known critic Alexei Navalny, 46, was poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020 and is now in jail.
Kasyanov predicted the struggle may final for as much as two years and mentioned it’s crucial that Ukraine win.
“If Ukraine falls, the Baltic states will likely be subsequent,” he mentioned.
The result of the struggle will even decide Russia’s future, he mentioned.
Kasyanov mentioned he “categorically” disagreed with French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that Putin shouldn’t be humiliated.
He additionally rebuffed requires Ukraine to cede territory to finish the struggle.
“What has Putin executed to deserve this?” he mentioned. “That is a very pragmatic place.
“I consider that is incorrect and hope that the West will not go down that path.”
Kasyanov believes Putin will finally get replaced by a “quasi-successor” managed by the safety companies.
However a successor wouldn’t have the ability to management the system for lengthy and finally Russia will stage free and truthful elections, the previous prime minister mentioned.
“I’m sure that Russia will return to the trail of constructing a democratic state,” he mentioned.
He estimated it could take a couple of decade to conduct “de-Communisation” and “de-Putinisation” of the nation.
“This will likely be tough, particularly after this legal struggle.”
He mentioned belief must be re-established with European nations, which he known as Russia’s “pure companions”.
Critics have up to now accused the Russian opposition of being hopelessly divided however Kasyanov mentioned he was assured issues would now be totally different.
“I’ve little doubt that now, after the tragedy that we’re all witnessing, the opposition will unite.”
Russians will face an enormous activity rebuilding their nation, he mentioned.
“Every thing should be rebuilt anew. Primarily, a whole set of financial and social reforms needs to be began another time.
“These are huge and tough duties and so they should be executed.”
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