Collective West needs to really remove Russia – diplomat Ohryzko

Volodymyr Ohryzko, a diplomat and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in 2007-2009, said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"The collective West needs to really remove Russia so that it does not shuffle between its legs. Then move on to a bipolar world, where one pole will be civilization and democracy, and the other pole will be an autocratic regime, if not 100%, then to some extent. Such a regime, led by China, will be far from democratic values. But if they behave decently, then why not," Ohryzko emphasised.

According to the diplomat, the world needs a Chinese factory. This factory performs well in producing goods for the world.

"But until this factory begins to threaten others. If Russia is really removed from the chessboard, and only two key pieces remain on it – the West and China – there will be much more chances to find an understanding with China. Because a mad Russia with nuclear weapons really poses a threat to the whole world. Both civilised and not so civilised," said Ohryzko.

• EU Council President Charles Michel called on China to "put pressure on Russia to stop its military aggression" in Ukraine. According to him, Beijing has influence on Russia.

• At the summit in Japan’s Hiroshima, the Group of Seven (G7) reaffirmed its commitment to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine.