Stopping Putin: Did Western powers fail to prevent war in Ukraine?
“We’re not preparing for anything. We’ve already been through hell here.” Donbas civilian
When Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February this year, for many it was a continuation of a war that had begun eight years earlier.
“When there is shooting, we’re told: ‘You are used to it!’ But you can’t get used to that. We can only try to avoid danger.” Donbas civilian
On Monday Four Corners traces the current war in Ukraine back to 2014 when Russia invaded Crimea and supported the separatist movements in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas. The program talks to key participants who worked on the many failed negotiations for a ceasefire.
“Vladimir Putin uses lying as an element of negotiation. We must know that he is lying, tell him that he is lying. Lying is part of the discussion.” Former French President
“I took Putin to be aggressive, ruthless, oppressive, but not reckless. I was: ‘He’s not gonna do that! He’s not that crazy!’ And he did it.” Former advisor to US President
Western leaders unsuccessfully tried to end the war in Donbas. Critics say they placed too much trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It was rubbish. You can’t enter into a win-win partnership with Putin because his mentality is a KGB style mentality. He can’t, he plainly can’t understand win-win.” Former Ukrainian foreign affairs minister
The film by French documentary maker Anne Poiret also tells the stories of civilians caught in the separatist war in Donbas. The team filmed in two towns close to the frontline in the months leading up to the February invasion.
“I built this wall behind the shed. It will protect the children when they play here in summer. We’re machine- gunned from over there. The wall is riddled with bullets.” Mother of three
It is replayed on Tuesday 8th November at 11pm and Wednesday 9th November at 10am. It can also be seen on ABC NEWS channel on Saturday at 8.10pm AEDT, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners
FOUR CORNERS: STOPPING PUTIN – Monday 7th November 2022 at 8:30pm on ABC and ABC iview
Media Release – ABC
