Ohryzko: When the Budapest Memorandum was signed, there was the same kind of arm-twisting

Ohryzko: When the Budapest Memorandum was signed, there was the same kind of arm-twisting

He stated this in an interview with hromadske.

«They (the Americans. — ed.) forced us to sign the Budapest Memorandum and renounce nuclear weapons. They promised us security. It is not there. They did not fulfill their part of the obligations. Therefore, they should return the nuclear weapons that were taken from us, along with the Russians. My colleagues, who were then involved in the negotiations on Ukraine’s nuclear disarmament, told me that it was the same arm-twisting as it is now. The Americans arrived and insisted that the Ukrainians sign everything without any objections or amendments. Unfortunately, Ukraine did not have the power to say ’no’ back then,» Ohryzko noted.

According to the former minister, now «no one in Kyiv would agree to similar concessions anymore.» In particular, he pointed out that Ukraine did not sign the «absolutely enslaving and unrealistic» mineral resources agreement.

However, he called for «being realistic,» as currently, 30% of military support is received from the USA.

«We need to respond calmly, measuredly, and without resentment to all statements from the American side. The United States has done a lot for us and will do much more. I do not think we should be too worried right now. We need to remain calm,» Ohryzko said.