Savchenko: ‘I will become president if that’s what Ukrainians want’

Nadiya Savchenko has held a large press conference in the Ukrainian capital. She answered questions from Russian and Ukrainian media.
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“If or when I become a president… Ukrainians, do you want me to be your president? Okay, I will become president. I am not sure that our people are ready to vote incorruptibly. I can’t say that I want it. I like flying, but I will dedicate myself to this job if it’s necessary”
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“As any ordinary person I want to travel around the world, to see it, but there’s no time for that now. But I will make sure that the world will hear about Ukraine. I will go to other countries, and I will tell people about Ukraine. I will find people that are eager to live in good neighborhood. I don’t know how it will happen, but I will do everything that I can do for Ukraine”.
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I would like to fly, but I will be where Ukraine needs me most. It doesn’t matter where. If the war starts again tomorrow, I have to be there, I will be there and I’ll stand in the first rows. I don’t have my own life anymore. My life is Ukraine.”
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“When I was kidnapped, I didn’t know what was happening. I was thrown in a car; a bag was put on my head and I was kidnapped. When I was released I wasn’t told anything either. They just came at night and said: “Pack your things”. They didn’t say, where we were going, and I didn’t know whether they were taking me to Siberia or Magadan, just like with Sentsov and Kolchenko. Or if I was going to Ukraine.
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Don’t strangle me with this love, because tomorrow I will be walking along the street and I will understand that I can make take a false step. I walk along the street now and people come to me and give me flowers, hug and make photos, these stupid selfies… However there are those who shake my hand saying “Thanks, Nadiya!” They don’t need proof that they saw me. I want to live a life to withstand love and hate if necessary.”
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“When Minsk Peace deals were signed I was in jail. I can’t say that they are effective, but the shooting decreased. They have at least put out the blaze that was painful for all of us. I thank Minsk peace deals for it. But the elections on the occupied territories are out of the question, as we still have the open borders.”
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“I thought that World War Three may happen and I still believe this. If it will happen we will return Crimea. If not, we will return Crimea, but with the help of international organizations..”
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“What is the ATO? It’s a Russia-Ukraine war, not a civil war”.
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“When I initiated this law I knew the system from inside very well… Many people say that I started to free killers. Unfortunately a lot of innocent people are held in jail. It is needed so that investigators wouldn’t detain people. So believe that this law is essential”.
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“I really wanted to walk barefoot on the runway. I often take off my shoes after a flight. I lay under the plane and under one of its wing’s…”
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“Speaking about my first day in the Parliament, I will definitely go; this is my first day at work. First of all I will take down my poster, and I’ll put a new one, saying “Freedom to those who remain there.”
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“Batkivschina party will make it, and we will put it up.”
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“It’ll be great if each party could make one of the Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia its members.”
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“I want to organize the international committee on occupied territories. And this is just one method, and I hope it would be a success”.
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“What would I like to tell Putin? Get out of Ukraine; leave all the countries you got your claws into. Take your kingdom and don’t make your people suffer, don’t victimize them. I don’t know what to say about him. You know, there is a louse, and there’s a nit. I see Putin as a nit. This is my impression of him”.
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“I haven’t heard where I am going yet. If I am needed in Minsk, I’ll go there. I’ll work anywhere if it will be effective”.
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“I am sure that Yerofeyev and Alexandrov have something to say to me. I wanted to talk with them during the exchange. And if I could, I would definitely say that if they come to my country and kill my people I’ll tear you apart with my bare hands!”
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“I’m not a rat. I’m not going to change parties. If there’s something that is unacceptable for me, we’ll discuss it. “Batkivshchina” has its leader. And I’ll become the leader if necessary”.
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“A few words about language. We are going to make Ukraine for Ukrainians in Ukrainian language. There has to be more Ukrainian. But not implemented through force, but with understanding and over persuasion.”