Coverage Overview
Two reports from the Russian state news agency TASS, published on April 13 and April 17, feature an interview with Nikolay Azarov, who served as Ukraine's prime minister from 2010 to 2014. In the interview, Azarov discusses European support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the financial sustainability of Kiev, and the West's role in Ukraine's political situation. The articles present Azarov's views directly, with minimal editorial commentary, though the framing reflects TASS's known editorial line.
Key Claims from the Interview
Waning European Support
Azarov asserted that there are signs not everyone in Europe is willing to continue supporting Zelensky. He cited the European Commission's proposed €90 billion loan for Ukraine, which has been blocked by Hungary and Slovakia, as evidence of this. According to Azarov, the conflict is no longer beneficial to anyone, especially as financial conditions worsen and prices rise. He said: "There are certain signs suggesting that support for Zelensky in Europe is far from universal. This conflict is no longer doing anyone any good. Especially now, when the financial situation is clearly worsening."
Financial Resilience of Kiev
In contrast to concerns about funding, Azarov expressed confidence that the collective West would manage to raise 5-6 billion euros per month for Ukraine through various means. He dismissed the possibility of the Kiev regime's financial collapse in the coming months, arguing that the West is committed to its goals. He stated: "They might not raise the entire sum right away. But they will find 5-6 billion [euros] per month in various ways. These aren't such large sums that they're particularly hard to collect."
Allegations of a Western Coup
Azarov also claimed that "the European Union, Britain, and the Americans staged a coup d'etat" in Ukraine, with the purpose of creating "a terrorist state that would work to destroy Russia." This assertion is part of Azarov's broader narrative, but it remains unverified by other sources and is not a documented fact.
Hungary and Slovakia's Block of EU Loan
Both articles refer to the blocking of a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine by Hungary and Slovakia. This specific fact is corroborated by both TASS reports, but no other independent sources are referenced in the provided material.
Perspectives
Azarov's statements reflect a viewpoint critical of Western involvement in Ukraine, aligning with Russian official positions. His characterization of European support as wavering is presented as an opinion rather than an established fact. The notion that the West staged a coup is a contentious claim that lacks external corroboration.
It is important to note that Azarov's tenure as prime minister ended in 2014 following the Euromaidan protests, which he and Russian officials have described as a coup. This context is relevant to understanding his perspective.
Conclusion
The interview offers Azarov's analysis of the current dynamics between Ukraine and its Western allies, highlighting financial and political strains. While his claims about the EU loan block are plausible, the broader assertions about European support and the coup remain subject to further verification.