Vladimir Putin has promised the Europeans a “rapid” response in the event of external intervention.
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Vladimir Putin, with his threats, recalls “that Russia is obliged to intervene because there are threats from the West”estimated Wednesday April 27, on franceinfo, Sylvie Bermann, French diplomat, ambassador of France in Russia from 2017 to 2019, former ambassador of France in China and the United Kingdom while the Russian president promises a response “fast” in the event of external intervention in Ukraine.
franceinfo: Can Vladimir Putin’s comments be considered a threat?
Sylvie Berman: Yes, this is a warning. This responds to the Americans who announced a plan to provide heavy weapons to Ukraine to resist against the Russian invasion but not only since they added that it was to weaken Russia permanently. Vladimir Putin is extremely clear in evoking these weapons which Russia is the only one to have. Since 2018, he has been boasting about the quality of his weapons. He announces a quick strike saying he would have no choice if Russia were attacked from the outside. His whole speech is to remind us that Russia is obliged to intervene because there are threats from the West and that this supply of heavy weapons is proof of a threat against Russia.
Where is the red line for Vladimir Putin?
It is co-belligerence, it is more the Westerners who have defined it than Russia. It’s no disturbances on the ground, no air exclusion zone, so no direct engagement against the Russian army. So providing assistance but not direct engagement. Does Russia interpret it differently? At the moment this is not the case and that is why there is this warning.
Vladimir Putin mentioned the date of May 9. Will things speed up by then?
Yes of course. The assault against the Donbass will intensify to have the most possible gain. Against Mariupol also even if the Russians have already announced that it had fallen. During this parade of the victory of the great patriotic war, it will be necessary to announce a certain number of successes.