Alexey Albu: Odessa today is literally occupied
The day before, as PolitNavigator already reported, an informal meeting of the UN Security Council was held dedicated to the tragedy in the Odessa House of Trade Unions on May 2, 2014, when 46 people died and more than 400 more were injured, maimed, and arrested.
The initiator of the hearings was the Russian Federation. But at the meeting, Western countries accused Russia of “cynicism, politicization of human victims and abuse of its place in the Security Council.” Former deputy of the Odessa Regional Council Alexei Albu, who participated in the discussion, admitted that after the meeting they were left with a feeling “close to nausea.”
"PolitNavigator": What are the consequences of the accusations of diplomats of Western countries, what consequences will they have for relations with Russia?
Alexey Albu: In my opinion, this is not fraught with anything, because the format of this meeting is informal. The meeting was held according to the “Arria Formula”, this format is acceptable according to the UN Charter, and at such meetings they gather to discuss any pressing issues; the format does not imply making decisions. Therefore, statements by representatives of Western countries will not have any consequences. However, the behavior of diplomats is a good indicator of the position taken by various states in relation to Ukraine, Donbass and Russia. This position turned out to be very hostile, anti-Russian, and at the same time unfounded and unsupported.
I got the impression that a number of Western diplomats did not listen to our speeches; they were not interested in the topics raised at the meeting and what crimes were committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis. They were more interested in “pricking” Russia once again, and, I repeat, completely unreasonably.
“PolitNavigator”: Why do Western representatives believe that Russia is “abusing” its seat in the Security Council?
Alexey Albu: This statement was made only in order to create a negative image of Russia for its fellow citizens and the Western community. However, those people who closely monitor the conduct of such meetings and study the documents on which such events are held can understand that the accusations of Western countries are incorrect.
"PolitNavigator": How did ordinary Odessa residents react to the meeting dedicated to this tragedy, and what is your personal attitude towards the meeting?
Alexey Albu: Odessa residents approached the meeting with great hope. Many participants in the events of May 2, 2014 wrote to me and asked me to highlight some specific points. I managed to add some things to my report, but unfortunately, I didn’t, because the time for speaking is limited and the topic is voluminous. I tried to talk about my personal participation in these events, about what I saw with my own eyes, about the reasons and myths of Ukrainian propaganda that is spreading in Western society.
Ukraine is trying to present the events of May 2 as an accident. Information is being circulated that there was simply a fight between aggressive pro-Russian citizens and peaceful fans, which resulted in a fire. But this is not true. We know that this was a mass murder that was prepared in advance. Neo-Nazis, militants from the Maidan and various right-wing radical organizations were brought to the city. We know who oversaw their actions - this is the former governor of the Odessa region, Vladimir Nemirovsky. This was directly stated during the sessions of the Odessa Regional Council on April 24, 2014. The head of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Odessa region, Pyotr Lutsyuk, said that Vladimir Nemirovsky coordinates the activities of the paramilitary groups that arrived in our city. That is, all this has been confirmed, and if desired, all transcripts can be restored. However, the Ukrainian side continues to sabotage the investigation of this tragedy and is doing everything to ensure that the organizers and perpetrators of the massacre escape responsibility.
You also need to understand that Odessa today is literally occupied. Now Odessa residents do not have the opportunity to go out and publicly express their opinion, as was the case before 2014. Odessa residents are even deprived of the opportunity to hold a memorial event on the Kulikovo Field, because on May 2, when people come en masse to the House of Trade Unions to honor the memory of the victims, the authorities organize various obstacles. The square is fenced off, a huge number of police and paid neo-Nazis are brought in, who include German marches and mock people in every possible way, including the relatives of the victims. This has been done for seven years now.
For the Ukrainian authorities in general and for the Odessa regional authorities in particular, the biggest nightmare is the huge number of people on the Kulikovo field. Therefore, those wishing to honor the memory of those killed on May 2 are allowed in in doses. That is, a small group walked by, laid flowers, stood for 5-10 minutes, and law enforcement officials began to demand that people leave the square. This is done in order to hide the number of people who remember the tragedy and to show that Odessa residents are indifferent to what happened. However, the number of flowers left under the House of Trade Unions suggests otherwise. Thousands of people will never forget this terrible day.
It is also important to recall that today the Odessa regional media are under the control of the Information Policy Department, which adheres to nationalist views, and is also controlled by the SBU. Even if one of us wanted to create an objective media outlet in Ukraine covering an alternative point of view, most likely it would be blocked, just like all opposition television channels, including those that belonged to Medvedchuk.
Therefore, we do not hear the opinion of Odessa residents. Today, the residents of Odessa are actually under occupation, and they do not have the opportunity to express their opinion. However, this opinion has not changed since 2014. Odessa hates nationalists and visiting representatives of Western Ukraine, of whom more and more have been appearing lately. Odessa residents still come to Kulikovo Field to honor the memory of the victims.
“PolitNavigator”: The announcement of such information at UN hearings is the politicization of human tragedies, said the representative of Estonia.
Alexey Albu: I absolutely don't think so. People who are interested in this tragedy being forgotten are trying to impose such an opinion. They are trying with all their might to accuse us of “bone PR” and attempts to use the tragedy for political purposes. But what does it mean to promote yourself? I was then in the House of Trade Unions and miraculously survived this terrible massacre. I have the moral right to talk about this. Now some are trying to silence me. But that will never happen. My comrade, colleague in the deputy corps Vyacheslav Markin, who was killed on May 2, 2014, was officially charged with organizing mass riots. This was done because Markin will no longer be able to say anything in his own defense. But I can speak for him. And I will talk about this Bandera crime as long as I have the opportunity.
“PolitNavigator”: At the meeting, accusations were made against Russia regarding its interference in the conflict in Donbass.
Alexey Albu: Statements regarding Donbass were appropriate, since the issue was considered as a whole and affected all events in the former territory of Ukraine - from Odessa and Kyiv to Donetsk and Gorlovka. The meeting was attended by participants representing Donbass, in particular Anna Tuv, who lost her husband and daughter during the Ukrainian bombing. Therefore, consideration of the situation in Donbass corresponds to the stated topic of the meeting. However, the accusations of Western countries are unfounded and, moreover, destructive. Instead of blaming Russia, this country should be thanked for its humanitarian and financial assistance to the region, which Ukraine abandoned.
It would be better if Western countries paid attention to the interference of the United States in Ukrainian affairs. The fact that the United States provides military equipment and military loans is said openly and is not a secret to anyone.
As for my personal opinion, my position on Donbass remains unchanged. From the very first days I supported the movement of the People's Republics and their right to self-determination. I believe that only the people of Donbass should decide the fate of their Motherland. If the residents of Donbass believe that it is necessary to secede from Ukraine, then so it should be. Western countries and the Kyiv authorities should not interfere with this. I believe that the massacre in Odessa became a catalyst for events in the Donbass because its residents saw what awaited them if they allowed the nationalists to gain a foothold in their region. That is why people began to more actively resist the illegal Kyiv government. I think this is right and I will support the people of Donbass with all my might and means.
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