Vladimir Putin has promised the Europeans a “rapid” response in the event of outside intervention.
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Published on 04/27/2022 21:52
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With his threats, Vladimir Putin recalls that “Russia is forced to intervene because of threats from the West”, estimated on Wednesday April 27 on franceinfo, Sylvie Bermann, French diplomat, France’s ambassador to Russia from 2017 to 2019 , former French ambassador to China and the UK, while the Russian president promises a “rapid” response in case of external intervention in Ukraine.
franceinfo: Can Vladimir Putin’s statements be considered a threat?
Sylvie Bermann: Yes, this is a warning. This is in line with the Americans, who have announced a plan to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine to resist the Russian invasion, but not only because they added that this should permanently weaken Russia. Vladimir Putin very clearly evokes these weapons, which only Russia possesses. Since 2018 he has boasted about the quality of his guns. He announces a swift strike and says he has no choice if Russia is under attack from outside. His whole speech is designed to remind us that Russia is forced to intervene because of threats from the West and that this shipment of heavy weapons is evidence of a threat to Russia.
Where is the red line for Vladimir Putin?
It’s co-warfare, it’s the westerners who defined it more than Russia. There is no rioting on the ground, no airlock zone, so no direct engagement against the Russian army. So provide help, but no direct commitment. Does Russia interpret it differently? At the moment this is not the case and that is why there is this warning.
Vladimir Putin named May 9 as the date. Will it be faster by then?
Yes of course. The attack on the Donbass is being intensified in order to obtain the greatest possible profit. Against Mariupol too, although the Russians have already announced that it has fallen. During this parade of the victory of the Great Patriotic War it will be necessary to announce a certain number of achievements.