Klitschko Interview: 'I'd Also Shake Hands with Devil To Save Lives'

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http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/vitali-klitschko-interview-about-crimea-and-russia-conflict-a-957830.html



Vitali Klitschko was one of the leading figures in Ukraine's fight against former President Yanukovych. SPIEGEL speaks to the former boxer about the conflict with Russia, the future of Ukraine and whether war really is imminent.

Klitschko Interview: 'I'd Also Shake Hands with Devil To Save Lives'
Interview Conducted By Marc Hujer and Christian Neef
March 11, 2014 – 02:40 PM

SPIEGEL: Vitali Volodymyrovych, a proposed law has just been introduced to parliament seeking Ukraine's entry into NATO. Why, when Russian President Vladimir Putin is waiting for just this kind of provocation?

Klitschko: It's right that we need to do everything we can to avoid provoking a splitting of the country. But I still think it's the right move to hold negotiations about entering into NATO. Ukraine has and will continue to be militarily threatened by Russia, so the people of our country want a partner who can guarantee their safety. But that doesn't mean we'll have to automatically enter into NATO.

SPIEGEL: What can the new Ukrainian leadership offer to the inhabitants of Crimea?

Klitschko: The people in the Crimea, in Donetsk or Kharkiv, are only superficially concerned about language, history and national identity. They want a job, a proper income, a better life. That's where we need to try to offer them better solutions.