Russia's ex-prime minister: Putin 'wounded and shocked' by sanctions

Created: 03/20/2022, 09:35 am

Russian President Putin was shocked by the EU sanctions.

(Archive image) © Mikhail Klimentyev/ dpa

Negotiations in the Ukraine war are only making sluggish progress.

EU foreign ministers fear a diversionary maneuver by Russia.

Kyiv/Moscow – The Ukraine conflict* has continued to escalate: the fighting across the country continues.

So far, Russia and Ukraine have not been able to reach an agreement in the negotiations.

The European sanctions against Russia* apparently had an effect on Putin.

But European foreign ministers warn against lying in negotiations by Russia.

War in Ukraine: Putin "shocked" by EU sanctions

Former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said European sanctions surprised Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Putin is amazed and shocked by the partnership between the EU and the transatlantic partners," Kasyanov told the

.

Kasyanov was Prime Minister under Putin from 2002 to 2004 - he now describes himself as an opposition figure.

The EU sanctions put the Russian president under enormous pressure, Kasyanov analyses.

"Only oil and gas keep the Russian economy alive," said the ex-Prime Minister.

However, the sanctions will not bring about an early end to the war.

"Putin needs war, he needs victory," says Kasyanov.

He therefore demands that arms deliveries to Ukraine continue.

Despite the dangers of a no-fly zone over Ukraine, it could stop the war, the Russian politician said.

Ukraine war: Foreign ministers accuse Russia of lying

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned that Putin was using the negotiations as a diversionary tactic for a military reorganization.

"What we've seen so far is an attempt by the Russians to buy time for reorganization," she told the

.

There are no signs of a withdrawal of Russian troops.

Putin did not show himself to be a trustworthy negotiating partner: Moscow has lied again and again, according to Truss.

Of course, the government in Kyiv has the right to hold talks with Russia.

Her French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian made a similar statement.

Already on Thursday (March 17) he had warned against the lies of Russia.

He accused Russia of only pretending to negotiate with Ukraine.

Russia is pursuing the same strategy as in Grozny, in Chechnya, and in Aleppo, Syria.

"First bomb, then set up so-called humanitarian corridors to accuse the enemy of disrespecting them, and finally negotiate just to give the impression of negotiation," Le Drian told

newspaper .

Russia wants to continue to let the guns do the talking, emphasized Le Drian.