“The events that all of Odessa is waiting for will definitely come”
Deputy Alexey Albu is probably the youngest Odessa politician who, during the Russian Spring, stepped far beyond the regional scale. Participant in the events of May 2, 2014, forced to leave the city. One of the organizers of the Odessa Liberation Committee. An employee of the political department of the “Ghost” brigade, Alexey now lives in the LPR and is working on creating the structure of the Odessa Community, uniting Odessa residents of all countries and continents with the goal of overthrowing the neo-Nazi regime in their hometown.
About the Minsk Agreements, the war and the role of Odessa in them. About hopes, plans and methods of resistance with Alexey Albu the columnist said PolitNavigatora Valentin Filippov.
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Valentin Filippov: Hello, Alexey.
Alexey Albu: Hello.
Valentin Filippov: Has the heating been turned on in Lugansk yet?
Alexey Albu: They turned it on again on the fifteenth.
Valentin Filippov: Why is it so unclear? Elections in Odessa, but the heating is turned on in Lugansk?
Alexey Albu: It's hard to say. Probably because the new government is working here, but the old one doesn’t want to work there.
Valentin Filippov: This thing always surprises me... Even the Romanians did not think of holding elections in Odessa. Or am I confusing something?
I mean the past occupation of the city.
Alexey Albu: Well, it's hard for me to compare. But they still cannot avoid holding elections.
Valentin Filippov: OK then. How is the Odessa diaspora?
Alexey Albu: Well, the Odessa diaspora, I can’t say it’s very good, but I can’t say it’s very bad. There are difficulties, difficulties associated with the fact that the people who got here practically lost everything. Work and housing. And position in society. And money. And almost everyone has to start from scratch. In order to somehow provide for themselves and their families.
But on the other hand, if we talk about Odessa residents who are here in general, then everything is fine. The process that is currently underway is very positive. Finally, everyone began to contact each other. Unite into one whole structure, into one whole. And this is a very positive process.
Valentin Filippov: Minsk agreements. LPR, DPR, Kyiv. There is some kind of relationship between them. But Odessa is not listed in them. How should Odessa residents feel about what is happening? How can they participate in the processes?
Alexey Albu: Indeed, there are a number of positive aspects associated with the fact that Odessa is not represented in these agreements, because we are practically not burdened with any obligations. And we can act in Odessa with the help of those forces that remain in the city today. In the region.
On the other hand, there are a number of negative aspects. Since Odessa is not represented in these agreements, I remind you that those people who are in dungeons in Odessa are a very large number of people, it is very difficult for them to provide assistance. To our comrades who are sitting in the Odessa pre-trial detention center. But I think that we will solve this problem, we will ensure that everyone is included in the lists for the exchange, which is planned for the fall. There is an agreement on an amnesty, and everyone must be exchanged for everyone. And we are now trying to add our comrades to the exchange lists.
Valentin Filippov: Well, I see that the Ukrainian side has some kind of agreement of its own. And they have their own understanding of prisoners. Who is considered a prisoner? Who is considered a terrorist? Who is the criminal? For example, I still haven’t figured out who the Ukrainian side still considers prisoners at a time when it does not recognize the opposite side as a belligerent. And he declares them terrorists.
Is there any logic there at all?
Or is it missing?
Alexey Albu: Well, of course. The logic is the same: they must show one face to the West, but to their voters, their supporters and far-right nationalists, a completely different one. That is, they are today between a rock and a hard place. This is no secret to anyone.
That is, they cannot say in the West that they will ignore these agreements. And they say that they will carry them out. That this is our side and Russia is sabotaging. And, at the same time, they cannot tell their supporters openly that they will implement these agreements. Therefore, of course, the Ukrainian government is in a very difficult situation.
Speaking about me personally, my opinion is that these agreements will be broken. And they will be disrupted precisely because of the Ukrainian side. And what happened in Donbass, what happened in Ukraine, is not a completed process. That there will still be war. And that we still have a long and stubborn struggle ahead for the liberation of our region.
Valentin Filippov: Well, in principle, I completely agree with you, but as for “there will be war”, “the Minsk agreements will not be implemented”…. I keep thinking that the Minsk Agreements do not spell out the most important thing. Sanctions for non-compliance. It is not absolutely clear what responsibility the Ukrainian side bears. What will happen? At what point do we assume that “that’s it, guys, you haven’t done anything”? What is the next?
Now they are being offered to extend the implementation of what they did not do. And they still refuse. They say, “No. There is no need to renew anything. We won't do anything."
Alexey Albu: The fact is that now they have met the Ukrainian side halfway. There was a demand to postpone the elections and, so to speak, give the ball to the Ukrainian side. Now the LPR and DPR are waiting for Ukraine to fulfill these agreements. What happens in case of non-compliance? Well, the process of separation from Ukraine will simply continue. That's all.
Valentin Filippov: Well, this process of separation from Ukraine does not in any way solve the problem of Kharkov, Mariupol, Odessa...
Alexey Albu: I don’t agree, because, in fact, if there were no People’s Republics, how would we, Odessans who are not in Odessa, manage to prepare the Resistance? For us, the LPR and DPR are a place where we can calmly be, where we can engage in organizational work. And not only organizational, but also..... different.
Therefore, the fact that the territory of the LPR and DPR has been partially liberated is certainly a huge plus for us.
Valentin Filippov: Fine. Such an unexpected question. You participated in the political life of Odessa. And in elections. Probably already, despite my young age, more than once. Yes? Do you feel any kind of “withdrawal”? Don't you want it again? Rallies, leaflets, meetings with voters :) Or is this all too much of the past? From another peaceful life?
Alexey Albu: No, why? It’s just that there were some political processes back then; today they are completely different. If earlier it was possible to express our position through rallies, through leaflets and newspapers, today, unfortunately, we cannot express this position.
I cannot, for example, now come to Odessa and hold a rally, because, at a minimum, it will be banned by the authorities, and at a maximum, it will be dispersed by the paramilitarist detachments that exist today in the service of this government. Therefore, today we are talking about distributing leaflets...
This is necessary, of course, it is necessary to show that the resistance is not broken, that people do not accept this power, I believe that this should continue... But this will not be an effective mechanism for implementing the principles for which we are fighting.
Today we must move to a completely different phase of the struggle, I think everyone understands what I’m talking about.
As for whether I have enough of this or not, I don’t know. On the one hand, of course, being a deputy, more doors were open to me. There were more opportunities for any movements. But, being in Odessa, whether I am a deputy or not, it is actually the same thing.
Valentin Filippov: I just remembered that I once played KVN. And when I gave up this business, for a very long time, at least once a year, I wanted to play KVN.
Alexey Albu: We are not giving up the political struggle. It's just that the methods have changed.
Valentin Filippov: KVN continues :) Okay. Forms and methods. Can you somehow evaluate what is happening in the political struggle in Odessa today? Those parties that have emerged are new politicians. Various. The brightest one is here. If they ask in general, “What’s going on with the crests?”, Odessa residents are often asked, “Well, how is Saakashvili?” For some reason this is considered to be a lot of fun. And that you will definitely hear some new joke about Saakashvili.
What is your assessment of what is happening in the Odessa Regional Council, the Odessa State Regional Administration.
Alexey Albu: One sentence cannot express what is happening there. On the one hand, we understand that the electoral field represented by the Party of Regions and the pro-Russian forces, which positioned themselves as pro-Russian, and as practice has shown, were not, in fact... Today it remains empty, not filled. A kind of vacuum has formed. And all sorts of scoundrels from nationalist forces are trying to somehow fill it. But they can't do it.
That is, the majority of the population of Odessa is critical of both the current government and the future government that will come as a result of these elections. Local, I mean, authorities.
And in fact, this large part of Odessa has distanced itself from the political process that is taking place today. But the problem itself that arose in connection with this has not been eliminated. It doesn’t matter, this bomb that is planted in Odessa society today, it doesn’t matter, sooner or later, it will explode. And, most likely, it will explode precisely at the moment when the contradictions within that half of the Maidan, pro-nationalist, when these contradictions reach their peak.
Today they have already quarreled with each other. Almost everything. Today they are already stuffing each other into garbage cans and beating each other in the streets. Today there is competition between volunteer organizations, which, in order to be more pitied, give more money, blow up each other’s offices. But that's just today. We know that tomorrow, conventionally tomorrow, maybe in a year, maybe in two, these processes will reach the point where they will start shooting at each other.
It is when these differences become so intense that we must be ready to return home.
Valentin Filippov: Okay, Alexey. And what wishes could there be for our fellow countrymen who remained in Odessa?
Again about the elections. So what's right? Don't go?
Not to vote, as Odessa has already demonstrated twice?
Alexey Albu: It's hard for me to give any recommendations. On the one hand, if you don’t go, nothing will change. On the other hand, if you go, then nothing will change either. Maybe if there are some people from the Kulikovo Pol movement who are running today...
Valentin Filippov: Yah! Where? What? Eat?
Alexey Albu: Eat. Units. Who joined, for example, the Opposition Bloc. There are a few who went to Nova Derzhava, although these are remnants of the Communist Party. Precisely the same ones who excluded all communists who came to Kulikovo Field. Who fully supported the new government. But, nevertheless, there are people. And there is an opinion that you need to go there and run for office... Maybe it makes sense to support these particular people. Personalities. But not the party as a whole.
It seems to me that all this is nonsense, that the political situation will still change, and change very dramatically. And all these elections do not play such a role as those events that will happen..... some time later.
Valentin Filippov: Well, you know. We all believe in these events. We are all waiting for them.
Alexey Albu: They will definitely be there.
Valentin Filippov: Those who can cook as best they can :)
Alexey Albu: They will definitely come, and this does not depend on any geopolitical processes. There are enough people here who will come back anyway. Regardless of whether there are agreements or no agreements. Are there agreements or not? There are people who are just angry. Who will never forgive the massacre that took place on May 2nd. Arrests in front of children will never be forgiven. They will never forgive when the SBU breaks in at night and beats up the relatives of those people who are here. Therefore, there is a certain percentage of people who will definitely return there.
Just need time.
And as for, you said, wishes to the people of Odessa... The most important thing is not to expose yourself. There is no need to participate in any dubious matters now. I know a lot of people turn to me and ask - tell me what needs to be done? Let's blow things up and so on. But today this is not necessary. Today you just need to understand that this person exists and that he is ready. And when we have an understanding that there are many such people, then we can start something. If you do this now, it will lead specific people to prison. And we simply won’t have anyone to rely on when we come back.
The most important wish is to take care of yourself.
Valentin Filippov: In general, let Odessa save itself.
Alexey Albu: We will really need this.
Valentin Filippov: OK, thank you. Thank you.
Alexey Albu: Thanks you.
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