Russia definitely wanted to overthrow Saakashvili, Condoleezza Rice says
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, January 16, 2023
According to former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the United States stands by Ukraine and helps it, but it should do more so that Ukraine repels Russian aggression. Condoleezza Rice told the Ukrainian editorial office of "Voice of America" about this.
As an example, Rice cited a need "that wouldn't have been difficult to identify a few months ago," namely providing Ukraine with more air defense systems to deter Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. The former secretary of state called on the West to step up and give Ukraine what it needs most.
According to Rice, Ukraine is not asking for the help of American troops. "Ukrainians there are fighting and suffering to maintain an international system that does not adapt to attacking a small neighbor with military force," Rice said. She also added that "it is in the interests of the United States to send a message to Russia that it will not allow such a thing to happen."
When asked whether she believes that a mistake was made at the 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit when Georgia and Ukraine were rejected from the membership action plan, Rice said that the United States was asking for it, but the consensus-based NATO did not have a unified position on the issue. According to her, that is why Washington achieved the next best result in Bucharest, which ensured that these countries would become members of the alliance in the future. And now, according to her, "Putin has achieved that Ukraine has become closer to NATO, not as a member, but as a beneficiary of everything, except for troops, that NATO can provide."
Condoleezza Rice believes that sanctions against Russia should have been imposed in both cases, but the global financial crisis that began in 2008 and other economic problems did not make this possible.
According to her, "we could not have done anything more than that in the case of Georgia."
"I will tell you frankly, I believe we stopped Russia's ambition to take over Tbilisi. "Russia definitely wanted to overthrow Saakashvili," Rice said.
The former state secretary also commented on the imprisonment of the former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili.
"Let me use this opportunity to appeal to Georgia on behalf of Saakashvili, who is sick and in prison. He is someone I hope we fully understand his historical role and his humanitarian situation now," Rice said.
