At the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin was “weaker than before” because “things are changing” in Russia, as can also be seen from the opposition to the war that was burgeoning “in rock concerts”. “not seeing their children anymore”. In support, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, guest of half an hour more, is on Rai 3.
“I see that there is a change in Russian society step by step, he says, especially mothers who no longer see their children. They start to ask, but what is happening? We have already seen the first expressions of protest in the concerts In the last few days you can also see “that the sanctions” are having an impact on the economic system. Now the Russian ministers are also saying so. So there is an effect”.
“This change was logical, it’s not easy to see what’s happening, but I feel like there’s also a change in Russian power. There are divisions.” It could “take a long time” for noticeable changes to set in, “but he, Putin, is not doing well and is weaker than before. And tomorrow he will be even weaker than today,” says Timmermans.
And he attacks “Putin’s friends”, even “in Italy”, who are now, with the war in Ukraine, “very quiet”, “hiding under the table” while they should only “apologize” to the Italians. Timmermans did not name any names, but reserved a rather transparent allusion to league boss Matteo Salvini.
“I’m a bit more optimistic – he replies in part of the interview – because we also saw the victory of the left in Australia. In the last few days we have seen that the tendencies, let’s say more radical, have not won elections in Australia, not even in Germany. We have also seen that Putin’s friends are very quiet now, in fact I haven’t seen the apologies from Putin’s friends, even in Italy. They’re under the table, but they should be clearer by saying we’re wrong, sorry. Dear Italian friends, we were wrong, we will never wear a t-shirt with the image of Putin”.
Faced with the war in Ukraine, “It’s not just Italy that’s in trouble, so we have to prepare for a very difficult time for society and the economy” because “we’re going through a fundamental change. And this war is causing it.” problems for us,” he then emphasizes to the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.
“Energy prices are very high – he continues – and this is having an impact on the economy”, but “China, where Covid is being fought, is also in trouble from the conflict “will affect all member countries, including Italy. That is why we must prepare ourselves to fight together to strengthen our economic fabric,” he concludes.