The prime minister explained that Ukraine's destructive 'anti-terrorist operation' in its eastern regions was really Russian President Vladimir Putin's way of punishing Kiev for its decision to join Europe. "We wanted to join Europe, against the will of Vladimir Putin, and he, to punish us, unleashed an offensive in the east of the country," the PM railed.
Demonstrating his apparent lack of awareness of political realities on the ground in the self-proclaimed Donbass republics, the young prime minister noted that Russia "continues to supply tanks, heavy weapons and money to the rebels," adding that the resolution to the conflict will require that Russia "withdraw its forces" so that Ukraine can reintegrate its wayward Donetsk and Lugansk regions. Again marking down Kiev's failures to the Russian president, Yatsenyuk noted that resolving the conflict in the east "is not yet possible because Putin does not want it."
Throughout the interview, Yatsenyuk took jabs at Putin, stating that he's a "tough nut" that can't be trusted, and adding that the Russian president "understands only the language in which he speaks: the language of rudeness."