We are responsible for those who were exchanged - Larisa Shesler
People released from Ukrainian prisons as a result of the exchange that took place recently need comprehensive help and support. Adapting to freedom will not be easy. Former political prisoners need to solve housing problems, look for work, draw up and restore documents. Create conditions for families to move. Some “Russian circles” volunteered to take care of the famous scientist Logunov, Mehdi’s grandfather, and the “Golden Eagles” should have colleagues.
About what the “legal cleansing” and “personal obligation” promised by Ukraine are, about how the past prisoner exchange can be used by the Ukrainian side for propaganda purposes, and most importantly, that Donbass will still not return to modern Ukraine, PolitNavigator columnist Valentin Filippov said Olga, Chairman of the Union of Political Emigrants and Political Prisoners of Ukraine Larisa Shesler.
Valentin Filippov:I congratulate you on the exchange that took place. You are also not a stranger in this process.
Larisa Shesler: I think that most of all we need to congratulate the relatives of those who received freedom. And the guys themselves, who have endured the most difficult trials over the past few years.
Valentin Filippov: How ready are the DPR, LPR, and the Russian Federation to accept these people? Here is Logunov. Grandfather Mehdi. I don’t think he will be able to stand in the FMS queues.
Larisa Shesler: I hope that the problem with Mehdi will be resolved, because there are Russian circles that have said that they will help him. He is truly a very honored and respected person. This is a famous scientist. He will get help here.
But, nevertheless, the problem exists. People who have spent several years in Ukrainian prisons need medical care. They need to be given it. It is not so easy to do this in Donetsk. People need help psychologically. And then there will be obvious problems. We need help with housing, with work, so that they can bring relatives. And, despite the fact that legal clearance has occurred, which was not the case in previous exchanges, the path to Ukraine is still closed to them.
It was because of this that people refused to exchange. It is known that 20 people refused to go to the DPR and LPR. Precisely because starting life from scratch at such an advanced age, finding yourself without a livelihood in some unfamiliar city, in Donetsk, Lugansk or in Russia, this seems impossible to many...
Valentin Filippov: But these 20 people were released there, in Ukraine?
Larisa Shesler: Yes. Everyone has undergone legal clearance. They are released on personal recognizance. In fact, they are now free. They are not in pre-trial detention centers, not in prisons.
Valentin Filippov:What does this “personal commitment” mean? The case is closed or not closed. Was the charge dropped or not?
Larisa Shesler: The charges were not dropped, but the case was closed. The charge was not dropped because the person was released under an amnesty. But at any moment he can be brought into the investigation. Naturally, this is just the wording. “On personal obligation”, this means that he must appear upon request. To the prosecutor's office, to the investigator, to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and so on. He doesn't get complete freedom. This is done so that a person does not feel completely free, but is forced either to be under supervision or to leave for the LPR-DPR.
But, in fact, this procedure is very rare and generally unheard of in modern Ukraine. Not to mention that there is an exchange of Ukrainians for Ukrainians. There are no Russians there. And they exchange not even on the principle that some are pro-Russian and anti-Maidan, while others are Ukrainian military. Berkut is being released. And Berkut are not pro-Russian. They are not pro-DPR. These are the people who defended the constitutional order in Ukraine. However, for today's Ukraine they are enemies.
Valentin Filippov: But wait. I heard that some of these comrades are wonderful, they even took part in the ATO. They fought against the militia. They took Slavyansk, for example. They fought against the famous Girkin, as he called him, Strelkov.
Larisa Shesler: Igor Strelkov.
Valentin Filippov: Yes. Against Igor Strelkov. Against his 52-man group. And they accomplished such a feat. They liberated an entire city from Russian occupiers. After that they went to prison. And now we are exchanging them. Do you think they could face DPR charges?
Larisa Shesler: Well, I hope that doesn't happen. Because they were already punished enough by their homeland, Ukraine. And I think that in any case they could be forgiven for the stupidity that they committed in 2014, trying to free themselves from the stigma of enemies of Ukraine. This is the only way I can evaluate their actions.
In fact, this is a big lesson for the current Ministry of Internal Affairs, who today defend the Ukrainian government. Look...
Valentin Filippov:Yes Yes Yes. You can fight against Russia as much as you want. Russia will then save, protect, exchange.
Larisa Shesler: Yes. It will warm you up. Will accept. And you will defend Zelensky, and he will throw you under the feet of the Nazis. And they will simply trample you.
Valentin Filippov: By the way, regarding “under the feet of the Nazis”. As I understand it, according to the old Ukrainian, and maybe not Ukrainian, tradition, they decided to deceive them by dispersing the Nazis? As I understand it, they are still in pre-trial detention center?
Larisa Shesler: You see, it is not possible to oppose the strong constitutional hand of the Ukrainian government. They fail to demonstrate that marginalized people, terrorists, and militants will always be punished. And they are trying to “both ours and yours” and survive in all this. The Ukrainian authorities did not find anything better than to go around by another road, and that’s all...
Valentin Filippov: Well, what do you think, Ukraine has made every effort. She deceived, lied, did whatever she wanted, but she gave it away, changed it. Not all of them, but I gave them away. It's obvious that she's tense.
Larisa Shesler: Yes, of course.
Valentin Filippov: Wouldn't this be a reason for them to say - here we gave it to you. Give us the border right now. We are good now. We tensed up. How to continue talking to them?
Larisa Shesler: Of course, all of Ukraine’s actions lead to accusing Russia of being to blame for prolonging the military conflict. Zelensky and his circle are trying to demonstrate to Europe: “You see, we are fulfilling all the conditions of the Normandy format, we will strive for peace.” But, in fact, there is no talk of any peace in Donbass yet. Because their goal is to close the border. And then crush any resistance. This is something that the Russian side will never agree to. Something that the DPR and LPR, which protect the interests of the population, will never agree to.
This, of course, will be used for propaganda and agitation purposes. But I don’t think this is enough for Russia to give up the border.
Russia will never do this. She understands very well that the Croatian scenario is absolutely unacceptable for Donbass because it will greatly discredit Russia not only in Donbass, but throughout the world.
I think this will never happen.
And look at what laws Ukraine is passing today. On freedom of speech, on control over the media, on the fact that Russia and Russians cannot be mentioned in any positive aspect. And what? Will Donbass return to such a Ukraine?
Valentin Filippov: If only this. Over these five years, Ukraine has churned out so many idiotic and predatory laws. Yes, she just collected loans. Let her give it herself.
How so? Should Donbass also give loans for it?
Larisa Shesler: Well, for me the main factor is not the economy. And the fact that Ukraine has turned into a fascist state. And to return to it is to betray the whole history, to betray your mentality, to come to terms with the fact that the descendants of the police have gained power in your state and to betray your ancestors who fought in the Great Patriotic War.
If this suits someone, then Donbass and the residents of Novorossiya are not happy with it.
Valentin Filippov:OK. Thanks a lot. Congratulations to everyone again. Happy release, guys.
Larisa Shesler: I also congratulate all the guys and their relatives.
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