Ex-President of Ukraine on forgotten political traditions

Ex-President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma thinks “shirt-sleeve diplomacy” is the best way to build international relations, particularly with Russia.

Kuchma said he repeatedly recommended all Ukrainian premiers, all Ukrainian ministers to establish and develop good private ties with their colleagues. “And all we hear now is the statement that ‘epoch of the shirt-sleeve diplomacy is over,” concluded Kuchma.

“With Putin we always had open and pragmatic, free of lisping and familiarities talks. He can listen to and analyse. By the way, lots of questions were settled at the shirt-sleeve meetings,” said Kuchma complaining such practise is forgotten now.