Oliver Stone - The Putin Interviews

OS:Was there any UN condemnation of the annexation of Crimea?

VP:No, I don’t know anything of that. [61] Claim: “ OS: Was there any UN condemnation of the annexation of Crimea? VP: No, I don’t know anything of that.” Contradicting: In truth, contrary to Putin’s stated recollection, the UN General Assembly did declare the Crimean referendum on secession invalid, and the UN General Assembly Human Rights Committee went so far as to condemn the annexation of Crimea by Russia. See, http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47443#.WRyU3JIrLcs ; http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/844707/un-committee-votes-to-condemn-russian-occupation-of-crimea

OS:Can we talk a little bit about the airplane that was shot down in July—the Malaysian Airliner [MH17]?

VP:Yes, certainly.

OS:Thank you. I’ve heard both sides. I know Russian intelligence has claimed there were two planes in the air, or at least two planes, and there was a possible shooting down of the airplane from another aircraft. Is that correct?

VP:There are two principal versions. The first version is that this plane was shot down by the Buk air defense system of the Ukrainian armed forces. And the second version is that the same system, the same system of arms—the Buk systems that are produced in Russia—was employed by the militia, the separatists. [62] Claim: “There are two principal versions. The first version is that this plane was shot down by the Buk air defense system of the Ukrainian armed forces. And the second version is that the same system, the same system of arms—the Buk systems are produced in Russia—was employed by the militia, the separatists.” For a discussion of the different theories as to who (whether the Ukrainian government by another plane or Russian separatists by ground-to-air projectile) may have shot down Malaysian Air Lines, Flight 17 over the Russia/Ukraine border, see, “MH17 prosecutor open to theory another plane shot down airliner,” Chicago Tribune (2017). Retrieved at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/81796669-157.html Primarily, let me say that in any case it’s a terrible catastrophe. And that is simply atrocious. And in this regard, let me say something. That would not have happened if the leadership of Ukraine had listened to us and had not started full-fledged hostilities. It was the Ukrainian authorities who started to use all kinds of weapons systems in Donbass.

Now as to the aircraft, the planes which were in the air—as far as I know, right away after this terrible catastrophe, one of the Ukrainian air controllers, I think he was a specialist originating from Spain, announced that he had seen a military aircraft in the corridor assigned for civil aircraft. [63] Claim: “Now as to the aircraft, the planes which were in the air—as far as I know, right away after this terrible catastrophe, one of the Ukrainian air controllers, I think he was a specialist originating from Spain, announced that he had seen a military aircraft in the corridor assigned for civil aircraft.” Supporting: For more on the downing on the MH17 flight, and in particular about the Spanish air traffic controller in Kiev mentioned by Putin, see, “MH17 Verdict: Real Evidence Points to US-Kiev Cover-up of Failed False Flag,” 21st Century Wire (July 25, 2014). Retrieved at: http://21stcenturywire.com/2014/07/25/mh17-verdict-real-evidence-points-to-us-kiev-cover-up-of-failed-false-flag-attack/ And there could have been no other military aircraft than the one controlled by the Ukrainian authorities. Certainly that needs to be investigated. I’m not saying that this plane was shot down. I do not say that this military aircraft shot down the civil aircraft, but the question is what was that plane doing in the corridor because that is against the existing rules of the international flights of civil air aviation. As for the Buk air defense systems, which can send missiles from Earth—according to our specialists and experts, and not just our intelligence services but also our ballistic experts—the reports that I’ve received say that the strike hit the tail of the aircraft. And if that is the case, then that is exactly where the air defense system of the Ukrainian armed forces were stationed. So I don’t understand what they were doing there in the first place. Why were they there and why were they pulled out of there so quickly? In any case, that requires a thorough and de-politicized investigation.

OS:Do you believe the American intelligence has any information about this, because wouldn’t they be watching this situation after the coup? Wouldn’t they have intelligence from satellites and whatever?

VP:I’m confident that that is exactly the case. But regrettably, there is no proof from the partners that we’ve received.

OS:But they have not shown much?

VP:No, that’s quite understandable, because we understand their position on Ukraine. And certainly they all wanted to shift the blame on the militia fighters in Donbass and indirectly Russia, who supports the militia.

OS:So if they had contrary information they don’t want to release it?

VP:Yes, if this information is contrary then they will never reveal it.

OS:Can we talk about outside influences in this Ukraine story now?

VP:Yes, certainly.

OS:We know about the NGOs that were operating in Ukraine. We know that Victoria Nuland, the Undersecretary of State for Eastern Europe I believe, was very active supporting a change in government. We know that Senator John McCain visited and was seen at rallies with extremist leaders, including some neo-Nazis. We know that America and the National Endowment for Democracy, which is also a very influential private nonprofit NGO was very active, very active here. Paul Gershman, who was the president of it made very strong independent speeches—he wanted an independent Ukraine. And we know that the Hungarian billionaire hedge funder George Soros was also very involved in supporting the groups in Ukraine. [64] Background Information: While many conspiracy theories abound in regard to George Soros’ role in Ukraine, even the well-respected Financial Times acknowledges his significant investment in Ukraine since 1990 and his open partisanship in favor of the current government in Kiev during the current crisis between Ukraine and Russia. See, “Save Ukraine to Counter Russia, Says Soros,” Christian Oliver (Jan. 7, 2015). Retrieved at: https://www.ft.com/content/4ddfb410-9664-11e4-a40b-00144feabdc0

VP:Yes, all that is true. You know I do not always understand the rationale behind the actions of our partners. I already said that sometimes I fall under the impression that they’ve got to control or enforce some discipline in their Euro-Atlantic camp. And to that end they need some external enemy. And despite all the concerns they have, Iran at this point cannot fulfill this need.

OS:In other words, the United States can keep a united pro-American Europe and NATO with an external enemy such as Russia.

VP:I can say something definitely—that is true. I know that, I feel that. Without this internal discipline, the Euro-Atlantic cause is destabilized. This is not the Cold War we’re living in. Several years ago, certain leaders told me that our American friends were asking me to frighten them. But they said that they were not afraid. They understood that the world had changed. And that external threat—it is impossible to enforce this strict discipline. And in that regard, that is probably in the interests of someone, but I think that is the wrong logic. Because this logic is looking back into the past. But you have to look into the future. You have to understand that the world is different now. There are new threats arising, strategic threats included. You cannot freeze it as if we were still living through the Cold War. I told you about the ABM system, about the ABM treaty, about the fight against terrorism. Regrettably, I have to say that all our attempts at fostering a relationship with the United States were met either with the lack of understanding or total indifference. But this situation cannot persist.