'I feel terrible': Bill Clinton blames himself for Russia's attack on Ukraine

The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, deplored his role in Ukraine's nuclear disarmament in the 1990s. He suggested that otherwise Russia might not have made a full-scale invasion, reports "Ukrainian Truth".

Photo: Shutterstock

Clinton said this in an interview with the Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

Clinton, while talking about the peace process in Northern Ireland, touched on the topic of a full-scale war in Ukraine.

“I feel personally involved because I forced Ukraine to agree to give up nuclear weapons. And none of the Ukrainians believe that Russia would have agreed to this invasion if Ukraine still had its weapons,” he said.

On the subject: Finland joined NATO: the border of the alliance with Russia has doubled

Clinton said he knew that Vladimir Putin, unlike his predecessor Boris Yeltsin, would not support the equivalent of the Budapest Memorandum, a document providing “safety assurances” to Kyiv in exchange for giving up nuclear weapons.

Bill Clinton, in an interview with the Irish channel RTE, expressed regret over his role in Ukraine's nuclear disarmament in the 1990s. He suggested that otherwise Russia did not dare to launch a full-scale invasion. pic.twitter.com/4RiPeXwQyM

— Lara-Lara (@LaraLar93023545) April 4, 2023

“The Ukrainians were afraid to give up their nuclear weapons because they thought that was the only thing that protected them from an expansionist Russia. Putin, seeing an opportunity, broke the agreement and first seized Crimea. And this makes me feel terrible, because Ukraine is a very important country,” he emphasized.

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

Clinton stressed that Western support for Ukraine must remain unwavering.

“I believe that what Putin did was very wrong, and I believe that Europe and the United States should continue to support Ukraine. There may come a time when the Ukrainian government believes it can reach a peace agreement it can live with, but I don't think the rest of us should withdraw our support,” he said.

As you know, in January 1994, Clinton signed a tripartite agreement with the then presidents of Russia Boris Yeltsin and Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk on the elimination of the arsenal of strategic nuclear weapons left on Ukrainian territory after the collapse of the USSR.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New Y.

In December of that year, the United States also joined the Budapest Memorandum, which provides for Russia's commitment to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Ukrainian Pysanka Festival in Los Angeles

What foods are most likely to cause food poisoning and how to avoid it

During April, Russia will head the UN Security Council

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.