We had previously arranged an interview with the People's Deputy from "Servant of the People", economist Oleg Dunda. It so happened that the politician received a call from "Apostrophe" in Paris, where he is on a business trip. But despite this, the parliamentarian found time to chat and shared his thoughts on what Trump's policy will lead to, what Europe should do, and how Ukraine should support the national movements of the colonized peoples of Russia to destroy the aggressor country.
- Mr. Olezh, welcome to sunny Paris. What are you doing there? Do you have any important events there?
- These are, rather, parliamentary, military and media meetings. We had a big article published in Le Monde by six people's deputies under my chairmanship, which caused a stir in France, and they wanted us to come and talk about what was written in the article and the situation in general. And so we communicate.
- I can't help but ask, what is the current mood in French society towards Ukraine?
- There is an absolutely warm attitude towards Ukraine here and words of support are heard. This applies to society, French parliamentarians, and any political parties, except the most radical ones. Ukraine unites them, although inside they have many issues that divide them.
- Is the French government ready to help Ukraine in deed, not in words?
- During the communication, we described the real situation and said that it would be better for them to help us now and make the necessary decisions, because in six months the economic crisis will force them to do so anyway. French parliamentarians can influence the government's decisions.
Trump is repeating for America what destroyed the Soviet Union
- Let's talk about Trump and his decisions, which have already caused a stir around the world. The first question is this. What is our current situation regarding the conclusion of an agreement with the US on rare earths?
- My understanding is that it is not worth expecting a quick signing and agreement on the points of this agreement in the near future. As far as I know, the negotiation process is underway.
- Is Trump still interested in this deal?
- Well, Trump is interested in many things, but here, firstly, there is a question of expediency and, secondly, there is a question of conditions. As of today, judging by the information that has leaked into the information space and what the president said, under such conditions it is not very acceptable for Ukraine, and Ukraine will defend its national interests.
- In your opinion, are Trump's views on Putin changing in the context of recent events? I mean the racist attack on Kryvyi Rih.
- I don't see a strategic change in his position. Moreover, I don't expect it in the near future. The issue is being resolved strategically - the States are withdrawing from Europe. We should be guided by this and talk to the Europeans about the fact that they should take a more strategically advanced position. And with the United States, we will eventually come to commercial relations.
- By introducing tariffs on almost all countries in the world, is Trump destroying the US economy?
- He is destroying the world economy in general. What is happening now is a soft history of the collapse of the Soviet Union for the United States. I mean, when industrial chains broke up in the USSR. The production process in the US has always been tied to cross-border and transcontinental cooperation. And the tariffs introduced by Trump are killing it. In fact, what destroyed the economy of the Soviet empire, and then itself, is being repeated.
- What is your forecast for the future?
- If Trump does not change his position in the near future, the US will face staggering inflation. This is first. Second, a shortage of goods. Third, an increase in interest income on debts. That is, Trump tried to reduce the financial burden on the budget, but the opposite will happen. Because of this, there will also be an economic crisis in Europe, but it will be a little different. In the States, the dollar will gain strength, and in Europe there will be deflation, which will hit jobs. This will be because the goods that do not get from Asia to the US must find markets, and they will go first to Europe. A social crisis will begin in Europe, and then a political crisis. The ratings of radical political parties, such as the Alternative for Germany, will grow. All this will happen by the end of this year.
(By the way, as it became known, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) for the first time broke into first place in the party rankings according to the results of a survey by Ipsos on April 9, Reuters reports - Apostrophe).
And here, in France, I explained that they have the only way out - a certain budget investment in the defense industry, which will provide jobs and, accordingly, mitigate the economic crisis. They have no other way. In addition, this will affect Ukraine. We become the main beneficiaries. And here is the question for Europe. They need to make such a decision of their own free will, rather than being forced to make it during the crisis this fall.
- Such decisions by Trump lead to the assumption that Trump is a recruited agent of the KGB-FSB. What do you think about this?
- This is absolute nonsense. Look at Trump's history. He has been living with this policy and these theses for 40 years. He has been talking about tariffs since the 80s, when he was still a businessman. He talked about what Trump is doing now during his election campaign. Moreover, tariffs were his main selling point. By the way, today we were talking about this with Mr. Hollande, the former president of France. Look, Putin and Trump are publicly saying what they plan to do, and society, the political classes, and experts have tried and are trying to close their eyes and not accept it, and then they wonder why this is happening. So they told you about it? And the fact that you are not ready to accept it is your problem.
- What can you say about the scandalous statement of Victoria Spartz, who proposes to give Ukraine's territories to Russia?
- We are not against giving her estate in Indiana to Russia. Let her show by her own example.
There should be a law on the destruction of Russia
- Let's move on to Russia. You participated in an interdepartmental meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the national movements of the colonized peoples of Russia . There, they discussed the adoption of a bill that would contribute to the decolonization of the Russian Empire. What kind of bill should this be, what is it for, and how should it all work?
- This is a bill on the creation of a state policy on the decolonization of the Russian Empire. That is, after its adoption, all our partners, including representatives of different peoples, will understand that Ukraine has no other way, we will support it and this will be our state policy.
For example, we have adopted a decision to include in the Constitution of Ukraine a provision on Ukraine's path to NATO. This provision exists. And therefore any government is forced to agree with it and implement it. The same is true here.
There should be a law stating that Ukraine's strategic policy is to destroy the Russian empire and grant the colonized peoples the right to independence. And, accordingly, no government, no matter what it is, can ignore this.
This law should provide for educational activities, propaganda activities, and activities to support armed resistance. And this is important, because when you talk to representatives of different peoples in exile and you suggest that they engage in more active activities, they always say that for them it is a big risk and they do not understand whether Ukraine will abandon them at a critical moment. They need guarantees, because they are being hunted, and they do not want to be left alone with Moscow.
This bill is needed for this. And during the meeting you mentioned, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sibiga, and the executive branch of government expressed two concerns. First, does Ukraine have the resources to implement this strategy? And second, is it necessary to do this at the level of law, and not through some regulatory acts.
As a result of the meeting, Andriy Sybiga was forced, I emphasize, was forced to agree that this should be a law and that there are enough resources to implement this policy in Ukraine.
- I know that you have met with representatives of the Russian and Belarusian opposition. How have their ideas about the overthrow of Putin's power changed in the context of recent events? I mean Putin's "friendship" with Trump and America's cessation of funding for opposition movements.
- The Russian "White Guard", let's call it that, opposition is completely collapsed. They are in complete depression and are thinking about how to arrange their personal lives after the actual completion of political activity. As for the representatives of the Belarusian opposition, they are trying to find how they can be useful to Ukraine, because only Ukraine can be a reliable partner, unlike all others.
- Information has appeared in Russian opposition media that the human rights center "Memorial" has presented a project "100 days after Putin". According to experts, it covers measures that will need to be taken after the change of power in Russia. What do you think about this?
- What they wrote has no relation to reality.
