Disgraced French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been branded a “clown” after shamefully defending Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine while promoting his new book
- Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Ukraine should not be allowed to join NATO
- In his new memoir, the politician said returning Crimea to Ukraine was “illusory”.
Disgraced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been branded a “lying clown” and “shameful” for supporting Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The 68-year-old defended Moscow in an interview promoting his 560-page memoir, Les Temps des Combats (The Time of Battles).
In the interview and book, he argued that Ukraine should not be able to join NATO or the EU, calling the country “belligerent”.
He added that returning Crimea to Ukraine was “illusory”.
In a preview of the book, seen by The Observer, Mr Sarkozy writes: “They say we’re waging a war against Russia without waging it.” Obviously we’re not on the ground, but we’re supplying arms to one of the belligerents .
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured) has been branded a “clown” for defending Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
Nicolas Sarkozy is an ally of Vladimir Putin (pictured) and represents the special relationship Paris had with Moscow in the post-war years
He adds: “Russia will remain our neighbor whether we like it or not.” “We must find ways and means to restore neighborly or at least calmer relations.”
Mr Sarkozy is an ally of Vladimir Putin and endorses the special relationship Paris had with Moscow in the post-war years, having been forged by wartime leader Charles de Gaulle.
Mr Sarkozy argued that many in Russia would view Ukraine’s NATO admission as a hostile act by the West.
He wrote: “Ukraine must commit to remaining neutral… At the same time, NATO could reaffirm its willingness to respect and accommodate Russia’s historic fear of encirclement by unfriendly neighbors.”
But former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said Mr Sarkozy was “France’s most mendacious post-war foreign policy president”, adding: “Why take this clown seriously?”
Nicolas Sarkozy said in his new memoir Les Temps de Combats: “Ukraine must commit to remain neutral.”
Jerome Poirot, a former intelligence officer who served under Mr Sarkozy, said his book was a “shameful” rewriting of history.
In the book, Mr Sarkozy also describes former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “overwhelmed by the lack of conviction that led him to support Brexit out of personal calculus”.
Mr Sarkozy is appealing two 12-month prison sentences imposed for illegal campaign finance and attempted bribery of a judge.
Prosecutors in France are about to launch a trial against him alleging he received political campaign money from Muammar Gaddafi, who was dictator in Libya until his execution in October 2011.
He denies any wrongdoing.