Oleksandr Turchynov: The Kremlin’s goal in the European direction is the destruction of the unity of the EU and transformation of its components into corrupt autocracies

The Kremlin's goal in the European direction is the destruction of the unity of the EU and transformation of its components into corrupt autocracies.

This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov in the article "National Security of Ukraine: Challenges and Priorities" published in the "Voice of Ukraine" newspaper on Wednesday.

The NSDC Secretary of Ukraine stressed that for effective countering the Russian aggressor, it is necessary to realize the global picture clearly, to understand the place and role of our struggle on a global scale. In this context, Oleksandr Turchynov analyzed in detail the situation in the world, the European region and in the Russian Federation, disclosing his vision for the solution of the existing problems and conflicts. "Russian aggression in Ukraine, the war in the Middle East, instability and military conflicts in North Africa, rising tensions between the countries of East Asia, aggressive provocations of North Korea, international terrorism are symptoms of the escalating crisis of the global system of international security", - he said.

In particular, the NSDC Secretary noted that "the internal weakness of the united Europe increases its vulnerability to the Russian threat and international terrorism, which together represent an existential challenge to the European civilization, and far from everyone realizes it". "European foreign and security policy is inertial reactive; "softness without power" has become its defining feature, - Mr. Turchynov noticed and his belief that to overcome the crisis, Europe has "to realistically evaluate and quickly respond not only to internal problems but also to external challenges".

Concerning Russian foreign policy, Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine brought out the opinion that "today, the attempt of geopolitical offensive can become a prelude to the end of Putin's regime".

"Today, the Kremlin is taking all measures to restore direct control over the states, the territories of which once belonged to the Russian/Soviet empire. Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia are the primary objects of the Russian aggression", - it is said in the article.

At the same time, NSDC Secretary underscored, the Kremlin's goal in the European direction is "the destruction of the unity of the EU and transformation of its components into corrupt autocracies similar to Putin's Russia in their essence". "By supporting authoritarian tendencies in the region, including the direct funding of anti-democratic political forces, by corrupting elite, by actively using the criminal world, Russia appears to be the factor of the destruction of international security, social regression, and degradation", - Mr. Turchynov emphasized.

According to him, Russia's aggressive strategy gives Ukraine a key place, "without its complete subordination to the Kremlin's tasks, the successful continuation of aggressive Russian foreign course is impossible". "For Putin's Russia as well as for Lenin's RSFSR, the fight for Ukraine is a turning point. If the Kremlin wins, the system of European security will be finally destroyed and the further way to the West will be opened for the Russian troops. If Ukraine stands - the spread of the war will be stopped", - the NSDC Secretary stated.