Expert comments on Russia's possible meddling in Ukraine elections

20.02.2018 12:30

Ukrinform

Putin's regime is aimed at demonstrating Russian hegemony to the world, their ability to override any international agreements, so negotiations with Russia resemble "negotiations with scammers who pull out other cards every time."

Head of the Board of the Institute of World Policy Viktor Shlinchak said this in a comment to Ukrinform in Strasbourg.

"Russia has been conducting a hybrid war for more than a year, and if it had the impudence to meddle in the U.S. elections, it means that it has no biases or any stops. That is, it can influence any processes in the world, and it proves it on a daily basis," he said, while commenting on the possibility of interfering in the upcoming elections in Ukraine.

"Moreover, Putin's regime is precisely aimed at showing the world this Russian hegemony and showing the world that they can override any international agreements, any negotiations with them resemble negotiations with scammers who pull out other cards every time," the expert said.

According to him, now it is difficult to predict the subsequent actions of the aggressor, in particular, given that Russia "raises the stakes" ahead of presidential elections.

"We do not really know what will happen next, whether it will be a negotiation, or influence on elections in the Balkan countries, or influence in other things, up to military aggression. Russia is now in raising the stakes again. It is doing it right before the presidential election, and I will not be surprised if something changes in the tactics and behavior of Russia after the presidential election," Shlinchak said.

A book by Director of the Institute of World Policy Yevhen Mahda entitled "Russia's Hybrid Aggression: Lessons for the World" was presented in Strasbourg on February 19. The book describes Ukraine's experience in counteracting the hybrid war, including the technical aspect of waging this war and methods of confrontation.