Why can’t I condemn Ukrainian society?
Artem Buzila, journalist, Odessa
Many colleagues from Russia, Moldova, post-Soviet countries, and Europe often ask me how it is possible that what is happening in Ukraine today. And in addition to the traditional answers about bloody usurpers in power, the imperial policy of the West and neo-fascist opponents sweeping away everything in their path, I note with regret that the tacit consent of Ukrainian society is to blame for everything. And not even agreement, but aggressively obedient support.
It is Ukrainian citizens, primarily in the cities of the South-East, who hang Ukrainian flags on their cars and wardrobe items, who come out in hundreds and thousands to so-called pro-Ukrainian rallies today, who are today to blame for that aggressive, xenophobic policy of official Kyiv that has nothing to do with conscience and decency . And this is all, despite thousands of protests of the Russian Spring that was raging from Odessa to Kharkov just yesterday.
It was with his (Ukrainian society’s) tacit approval that the “Agntimaidanites” were burned alive in the House of Trade Unions on May 2, freedom fighters in the South-East were imprisoned by the hundreds, and civilians were shot from artillery in the Donbass. This Ukrainian society - and only it - is responsible for the dollar exchange rate, the impending economic default, the curtailment of social programs, and the prospect of a cold winter.
However, I don't blame anyone. It is probably impossible to be different in a country where Russian TV channels are forcibly turned off as the only last opportunity to find out the truth or at least a different point of view. In this country, for more than twenty years, hatred of Russia has been fostered from the cradle instead of introducing a healthy patriotic ideology. It was here that millions and billions of European and American money were poured in to brainwash citizens through television/the Internet/“democratic” foundations/parties and turn them into an obedient herd.
That’s probably why it couldn’t be otherwise.
And there is no need to blame anyone here. Only educational work will now have to be done ourselves. To each of us. Don’t lie and don’t be afraid and live according to your conscience. It will be difficult, sometimes almost impossible. But if we don’t want to lose our people, we have no other choice. Otherwise, the militaristic schizophrenia of Ukrainian society will last forever.
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