Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has called for fighting against those who invited Czech President Milos Zeman to speak at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). During his speech, Zeman said it is time to agree that Russia should pay Ukraine with gas or money as compensation for its illegal annexation of Crimea.
“Ignore Zeman, it’s pointless to correct him. There are directors in the theater and there are actors. Those who invited him to speak knew what he would say. It’s necessary to fight with these people,” Klimkin said on his Facebook page on Oct. 10.
Ukraine’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe Dmytro Kuleba on his Facebook page said Zeman’s speech was organized to mobilize the return of the Russian delegation to PACE.
“Zeman has always been for Russia. Today he was simply an actor taken to the stage in order to create the correct atmosphere and mobilize those still undecided about the return of the Russians,” Kuleba said, adding “Crimea is not for sale. The situation is as complicated as ever.”
As earlier reported, Zeman during his PACE speech recommended resolving the issue with occupied Crimea by Russia paying Ukraine.
“In my opinion, there should be some compensation for Ukraine… money, oil or gas,” he said.
The Czech president called the annexation of Crimea illegal, but said the issue has been settled: “Crimea – this is annexation, of course. And fait accompli.”
