RUSSIA IS TOXIC
Warning to Europe by a former leader poisoned in plot blamed on the Kremlin
A POLITICAL enemy of Vladimir Putin who was poisoned in a suspected Kremlin plot has urged Europe to wake up to the threat Russia poses.
Ukraine’s former president Viktor Yushchenko fell ill and was left disfigured after his meal was spiked during an election campaign.
He said: “I feel pain for Europe being so blind. That European countries are so unfriendly to each other and have so little solidarity in respect to Russia’s policies.
“I would like ‘United Europe’ to finally realise the biggest challenge for its citizens is the medieval policy Russia pursues in the 21st century.”
Nobody has faced justice for the attack on him, but Mr Yushchenko, 64, suspects his “crime” was taking on a rival favoured by the Kremlin.
Mr Yushchenko said he was targeted during his campaign for the Ukrainian presidency in 2004. “It happened when I had dinner with the head of Ukraine’s security service and his deputy,” he added.
“According to the investigation poison was added to the rice.
“When I arrived home and kissed my wife she said, ‘Your lips taste metallic’. On the second or third day my body started swelling. My head grew in size. Pain spread over my body and inflammations and pus [ formed].”
The poison, later identified as a TCDD dioxin, transformed his looks. He lost to Viktor Yanukovych, a Kremlin favourite, amid claims of vote-rigging.
After huge protests, the results were overturned and Mr Yushchenko won a re-vote. Asked if he suspected Mr Putin of ordering him to be poisoned, he said: “I have an answer but I cannot voice it.”
Mr Yushchenko spoke
With his wife Kateryna after poisoning Yushchenko greets Putin in May 2005
FORMER UKRAINE PRESIDENT
out as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Britain could have poisoned ex-russian double agent Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, in Salisbury on March 4.
The attack, with a Novichock nerve agent, has been widely blamed on Russia.
Mr Lavrov said: “It could be highly advantageous to British security services well known for their capacity to act with a licence to kill.
“It could also be advantageous to the British government who find themselves in a difficult situation over Brexit.” Mr Skripal remains critically ill. Yulia is conscious and talking.
I would like ‘United Europe’ to realise the biggest challenge... is Russia’s medieval policies VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO