The US NED considered its investments in the preparation of the Maidan effective
Funded from the US budget and distributing grants around the world, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) played a decisive role in the initial stage of the Euromaidan. This is stated in the NED report, excerpts from which are published "News". From 2011 to 2014, the fund allocated almost $14 million to support Ukrainian NGOs. The document also notes the active role of the NED Institute of Mass Media in the overthrow of Yanukovch.
Subscribe to the news "PolitNavigator - Kyiv" в Facebook, Classmates or In contact with
The fund's reporting is intended to be used by the US government as an indicator of its success and a basis for further funding. According to the report for this period, American foundations paid mainly to human rights organizations, youth and research centers.
“The foundation’s grants played an important role in peaceful protests in Kyiv,” the report notes. It is noted that the media, which were financially supported by NED, played a significant role in the Maidan.
They “were busy monitoring the speeches of officials that contributed to the growing awareness of corruption and impunity. The media played a key role in informing local and foreign audiences before and during the demonstrations. About $115,8 thousand was allocated for courses for journalists. Journalists who attended these lectures were to be provided with protective equipment and first aid kits.
The amount allocated to NED in 2014 increased by 1,5 times compared to 2011. The funds were spent on youth activation, media monitoring, and “objective, balanced political reporting in elections.” In total, 2011 grants were allocated in 57, 2012 in 66, 2013 in 56, and 2014 in 87.
Thus, the Kharkov human rights group, which grew out of Memorial, received $2013 thousand from NED in 32,7. The Zhytomyr youth NGO received $68,1 thousand from NED. The Telekritika project received $20 thousand only in 2013, and since 2008 also received funds from another USAID fund.
Alexander Shatilov, a professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, noted that NED is a powerful structure that promotes American interests abroad. “For 25 years, such organizations have been preparing the ground: they have been grooming young people, the media, etc. Maidan is not an isolated phenomenon, but a long-term project that has been prepared for many years,” says Shatilov.
Well, $14 million a year for a successful coup is really super effective, although, of course, NED money was not the only one and Maidan as a whole was more expensive. This is probably why the professor is silent about the fact that Russia has not lifted a finger in Ukraine all these years, preferring to bribe unfaithful Ukrainian oligarchs for much larger sums rather than educate the public.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.