Ukraine’s fugitive ex-president resurfaces as Putin speaks at SCO – ISW explains link

ISW reported the information.

Analysts say a new video featuring ex-president Viktor Yanukovych is part of Moscow’s effort to lend false legitimacy to its demands for "regime change" in Ukraine.

On September 1, Russian state media released footage in which Yanukovych claimed that during his presidency Ukraine was supposedly moving toward EU membership, but insisted he had always opposed NATO accession, calling it a “disaster” and “a path to civil war.” He also accused European partners of derailing the EU association talks.

In the address, Yanukovych declared that Putin is “absolutely right” about Ukraine. According to the Institute for the Study of War, this statement underscores the staged nature of the video, which appeared carefully timed to coincide with the Russian leader’s remarks at the SCO summit.

 ISW also emphasizes that the Kremlin could use such publications to portray Yanukovych as a “legitimate leader of Ukraine.” However, he fled the country after the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, and several democratic elections have taken place in Ukraine since then.

Yanukovych, who served as Ukraine’s president from 2010 until his ouster, has lived in Russia under Kremlin protection for the past decade. His last media appearance was in July 2022, when he urged Ukrainians to surrender to Russia.

• Viktor Yanukovych, the former Ukrainian president who escaped to Russia, insisted that European partners acted arrogantly toward him while negotiating Ukraine's EU accession.