Crossed interviews of a former Western diplomat and a Russian official

While the bad news one another on the eastern front, what leeway for diplomacy? We interviewed the former German diplomat and former mediator of the OSCE in Ukraine Wolfgang Ischinger, who chaired the Munich security conference that just ended.

Wolfgang Ischinger: "If diplomatic efforts fail, and we feel the need to increase the level of pressure, I think that all options should be considered carefully, and I do not think it's a good idea to take any option or in the trash before they have studied. There are of course obvious risks to supply weapons, there are risks of escalation. On the other hand, if you do nothing, you run the risk of seeing the country split in two, and give up the very principles on which European security is based. "

euronews: "Will he been instances where economic sanctions have influence the foreign policy of a great power like Russia? "

Wolfgang Ischinger: "Sanctions are a bad diplomatic instrument, there is no doubt about it. They work poorly, and if they work, they produce a side effect that is to defend the chief, to defend the country, because the country is attacked from the outside. So, of course, sanctions are a bad idea. But what can we do? So, sanctions, poor instrument were the only option available. This is one of those classic diplomatic situations where you have some cards in hand, and no really looks good, but you need to play the least bad. "

euronews: "Vladimir Putin he is trying to divide the West? "

Wolfgang Ischinger: "It would be very surprising that it does not seek to take advantage of differences between the allies of the West. Of course. We have imposed sanctions. From a Russian point of view, it is not only an unfriendly gesture. This is a terribly unfriendly act, and if I were a Russian adviser, I would say do our best to divide these people so that they can not extend their sanctions regime for another. It is obviously the interest of Russia. Thus. "

Euronews also met one of those whose name should land on the European blacklist lack of progress, Anatoly Antonov, Russian Deputy Defense Minister.

euronews: "Many people at the security conference in Munich, felt that Russia had not shown a great willingness to dialogue and say that you do not apply the Minsk Agreement ..."

Anatoly Antonov: "Do not forget that Russia is not involved in the conflict, we do not participate ..."

euronews: "This too is disputed. "

Anatoly Antonov: "There are many rumors about the situation in this region. "

euronews: "When you say that you are not involved in the conflict, if you do not admit or say not to be, then why is it that Russia should be involved in the negotiations? "

Anatoly Antonov: "All the solutions must be sought through a dialogue involving Kiev and the self-defense forces of Lugansk and Donestk. Regarding Russia ... "

euronews: "This is how you call the separatists? "

Anatoly Antonov: "We do not want to call them separatists. These are people who want their rights respected. They do not want that one requires the use of a single language, and if someone wants to ban Kiev eg Russian, they want instead to speak their native language. "

euronews: "The Ukrainian Constitution protects this right. "

Anatoly Antonov: "There have been suggestions to introduce restrictions. "

euronews: "But it was never implemented. "

Anatoly Antonov, "Yes, yes, and I welcome this decision. We just need to help them reach an agreement. "

euronews: "You mentioned the Russian line that you do not arm the separatists in any manner whatsoever. Where are their weapons then? "

Anatoly Antonov: "There are many depots of arms and ammunition in the territory of all the republics of the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine. And self-defense forces are a lot of weapons and ammunition to the army. "

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