Frank Schumann presents book about Tymoshenko in Berlin

KYIV, October 12 /UKRINFORM/. German political journalist and publisher Frank Schumann has presented his book entitled "The Swindler. Tymoshenko Case" on Friday in Berlin, a UKRINFORM correspondent reported.

"My book - this is an attempt to describe the current situation in Ukraine in the light of the case of former Ukrainian prime minister," said the author. According to Schumann, the "one-sided" approach to the case of ex-prime minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko in the West has prompted him to write the book, for here she is seen as "unfairly sentenced by the dictatorial regime". In the publicist's opinion, the increased interest in the Ukrainian ex-premier in the Western world is not least because of her attractive appearance. "I think the attention to Tymoshenko here would be less if she wore a burqa," he added.

Schumann believes that Tymoshenko case is used by the EU to distance itself from Kyiv. "But Tymoshenko, in turn, uses the tension between Brussels and Kyiv to get out of jail," he said. The author added that, instead, one should do justice to the Ukrainian government for trying to have a critical view of the past and establish the rule of law. "The attempts of the Ukrainian justice to prove that all are equal before the law deserve attention," he added.

The author noted that in his book he tried to describe what he personally saw and heard during his trip to Ukraine this summer. "It's up to the reader to draw conclusions," he stressed. According to Schumann, he is neither a "fan" of Yulia Tymoshenko nor Viktor Yanukovych, although he considers the first a "smart" politician.

Asked by a UKRINFORM correspondent, Frank Schumann said that one of Kyiv's publishing houses has already showed interest in publishing his new book in Ukrainian. "Recently, we have received such a request from a Ukrainian publishing firm and we have to reflect on it," he said.

Publishing a book about Yulia Tymoshenko in the West, which reflects a critical approach to her figure, is a "courageous step", said Vice-President of the German Association of International Politics and Law, a former German diplomat Manfred Schuenemann. "By writing this book Mr. Schumann went against the grain, against 'pro-Tymoshenko' stance of the West, and it was courageous on his part," he emphasized.

As reported earlier, a book by Frank Schumann "The Swindler. Tymoshenko Case” came off the press in Berlin's publishing house Edition Ost on October 10th and is presented at the 64th Frankfurt Book Fair. You can read the full interview with Frank Schumann here.

Photos from the presentation are attached.

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