Ukraine Should Concentrate on the Fight against Corruption in Order to Gain Support of the USA – George Bush

Systematic fight against corruption will help Ukraine to secure long-term and stable support of the USA in the fight against Russian aggression, believes the 43rd US President (2001-2009) George W. Bush.

“We will all support Ukraine until it expels all Russians from its land. When people fight for their freedom, it gives an extra incentive to support. I don't know if this support will be stable. The first thing that Ukraine should take care of in order to ensure support from the USA is the fight against corruption, because we spend money on this, and many Americans get annoyed if this money goes into someone’s pocket instead of fighting with Russia," said George Bush at the Yalta European Strategy (YES) Annual Meeting “The Future is Being Decided in Ukraine”, organised by YES in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.

According to President Bush, it is essential to explain to the American society why Ukraine is important for the USA. After all, in the event of Ukraine's defeat, Putin will not stop and will continue his aggressive policy.

“It is necessary that someone explain to the Americans why Ukraine is so important. If Ukraine goes down before Russia, what will the fate of Poland or Romania, or Latvia, or Lithuania be?” asked George Bush.

He is convinced that the USA should not impose its vision of peace on Ukraine and that the decision should be solely made by the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian leadership.

“The USA should not impose its idea of peace. We can consult, we can share our point of view, but we cannot demand that Ukraine give up part of its territory to the aggressor,” summarised the 43rd US President.