Ten Western myths about “Ukrainian Crisis”

Beyond the EU: 13. November 2014
by Sviatoslav Sviatnenko

Blue-yellow ocean of freedom. Photo: AirPano.com

I have been living in the Netherlands for the last two months and during this period I have had an opportunity to feel a genuine interest towards the so-called “Ukrainian Crisis”. In fact, I am sceptical about the usage of a word “Crisis”. However, under this umbrella we can unite events that took place after Yanukovich’s refusal to sign the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine: the Revolution of Dignity followed by illegal Crimea annexation and unannounced hybrid Russian-Ukrainian war in the East Ukraine. After a couple of conversations about Ukraine and its current situation, I realised that the Russian propaganda is working efficiently.Russia Today (RT) channel is notorious in this respect. The channel, that is nothing but a tool of Kremlin to create a false image among English-speaking world, is constantly using censorship, denying facts and publishing fake news. In fact, the team of StopFake counted hundreds of such cases while monitoring Russia Today. Thus, I myself as well as Beyond the EU feel responsible for giving some sort of an “insider perspective” on the Ukrainian Crisis and, thus, debunk top ten of its Western myths.

Myth 1. 
Ukrainian revolution was all about the EU

Social protests started with student demonstrations against Yanukovich’s decision not to sign the Association agreement. In fact, the Ukrainian youth was protesting under the slogan “molod nacii za evrointegraciu” (“Youth of the Nation for European Integration”), which clearly underlines the Pro-European orientation. Such student movements took place all over Ukraine. However, after the active week, mood became more pessimistic. Frankly speaking, while being on Maidan at that time I thought that it was the last days of the movement. However, on the night of November 30th, the state special forces, “Berkut” and riot police brutally dispersed peaceful protestors, mainly consisting of students, who has been seriously injured. As a result of beatings of defenceless students, the discourse and people’s attitude on Maidan shifted. In two days, hundreds of thousands came to Maidan under the slogan “our children have been beaten”.

There were no more indecisiveness and youthful credulity. The questions of EU-Ukraine relations and European Integration became irrelevant for protestors, as anti-regime, anti-Yanukovich and anti-police rhetoric prevailed, later followed by Pro-Ukrainian and anti-war discourse.

There were no more indecisiveness and youthful credulity. The questions of EU-Ukraine relations and European Integration became irrelevant for protestors, as anti-regime, anti-Yanukovich and anti-police rhetoric prevailed, later followed by Pro-Ukrainian and anti-war discourse. Moreover, shift from “the European” to Ukraine-centred approach was easily noticable by the amount of EU and Ukrainian flags on Maidan. Indeed, flags with official symbolic of the EU constituted the majority of flags during the first week of protests, whilst after students had been beaten, protesters brought Ukrainian flags to Maidan, which became a blue-yellow ocean of freedom. Even the main location of protests shifted from the European Square to Maidan (Independence Square). Later, it became clear that Ukainian revolution is not a political one, but primary social, or I would say “values revolution” (Sviatnenko &Vinogradov, 2014).

Myth 2. 
EuroMaidan was a far right movement

No doubt, some of the radical groups took part in the revolution as, for instance, football fans. However, despite their contribution in terms of forming defense structures and serving in the volunteer battalions when the war began, they were neither at the core of the Maidan nor influential enough to shape revolution’s progress. In fact, Ukrainian revolution was driven by the most active part of modern Ukrainian society. There were entrepreneurs, intellectuals, artists, academics and students. It could be called creative and middle class revolution, but definitely not the far right-wing one. In fact, according to results of social survey conducted by Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, professionals with higher education constituted the major part of Maidan (Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, 2014a).

At the early Presidential election both right candidates Tiahnybok and Yarosh received together less than 5% of votes, which is insignificant comparing to nearly 20% of seats that far right parties got in the parliaments of France and Hungary

No doubt, it was a struggle for human rights, freedom and justice. In fact, Euromaidan was culturally and religiously tolerant. Besides, during my ethnographic study on Maidan, I had conversations with different, even opposing, ideological forces: United Left Party of Workers and Peasants and the UNA-UNSO (right-wingers). On the question about their attitudes towards each other, the representatives of both ideologically opposite forces answered that they are brothers, and despite the fact that their ideologies differ, they “now are united in an effort of Ukrainian Revolution”. Moreover, at the early Presidential election both right-wing candidates – Tiahnybok and Yarosh – together received less than 5% of votes, which is insignificant comparing to nearly 20% of seats that far fight parties got in the parliaments of France and Hungary (Front Nationale and Jobbik respectively). Obviously, the role of far right during the Revolution of Dignity is overestimated.

Myth 3.

Maidan took place only in Kyiv

It is true that Maidan square is physically located in the centre of Kyiv. In geographical terms, Kiev’s Maidan was dominated by peopel from other regions (88%), while only 12% of protesters were Kiev citizens (Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, 2014a). Moreover, Maidan was geographically diverse: while the majority of 55% of visitors – were from Western Ukraine, 24% were residents of Central Ukraine, 21% from the East and South. Thus, by the end of 28th of January, 23 out of 24 oblasts (regions) of Ukraine held mass protests (see the map below). But what is more important, “Maidan” was a social and mental sphere. Values of Maidan diserced all over Ukraine.

Yellow Blue color – People’s Council; red color – Clashes; pink – mass protests; blue – territory under control of party of Regions; black – under control of military forces of Ukraine. Source: muzoff.com.ua

“Maidan” was also a virtual public sphere. Facebook communities, free on-line consulting services, and online fundraising campaigns were created by people from all over Ukraine and around the Globe. There are specific groups of Maidan activists in all regions of Ukraine. Actually, wherever the protest occured, in Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv or Kyiv, all the protesters were called “Maidaners”. Thus, Maidan and Ukrainian Revolution were not entirely Kyivan, but were supported all over Ukraine.

Myth 4.
Annexation of Crimea was legal and according the international law

First of all, referendum was organized by self-announced and self-appointed “head of Crimea” Sergey Aksenov (with criminal alias “Goblin”), an individual with abundant criminal past. The referendum was held on 16th of March only on Crimean peninsula, which unequivocally contradicted the Constitution of Ukraine, as questions on border changes can only be decided in a national referendum. Secondly, referendum was organized in three weeks and was not supported by Ukrainian government. Third, indigenous dwellers of Crimea, the Crimean tatars, boycotted the referendum. Moreover, referendum was held at the barrel of the gun of hundreds of so-called “green men”, in fact Russian militants that later received medals of honour for “returning of Crimea back from Putin. Additionally, the Crimean referendum was rigged. According to official information, 123% of Sevastopol citizens voted for joining Russia. In fact, Crimean Annexation was never recognised by the international community, and even was announced illegal by UN General Assemly which supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine[1]. Given all the abovementioned, claims on legality of the Crimea Annexation have nothing to do with reality and international law.

Read more: International Law on Legality of the Crimea Secession

Myth 5.
MH17 was attacked by the Ukrainian military

In addition to official resolution of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, which clearly proves the responsibility of Kremlin-backed terrorists and militants, there are multiple evidences of Russian militants involvement in the tragedy[2]. First of all, Russian journalists started reporting from the crash scene a couple of minutes after the tragedy had happened, and as it was in the field far outside the urban areas, this probably means that they knew about the location of a crash beforehand. Secondly, military weapons that were used to hit the MH17 require additional professional training. In fact, Ukrainian army has neither these weapons nor professionals to use them. Third, Ukrainian military plane was shot down with nearly 50 casualties in the same region few weeks before the MH17 tragedy. Moreover, Strelkov, one of the leaders of separatists, posted on Facebook a note boasting about another Ukrainian plane shot by separatist immediately after the crash of MH17. Few minutes later, as it became clear that is was not a Ukrainian plane, he deleted the post.

Other countries’ intelligence services supported this point of view too. In fact, the U.S. officials said that:

A U.S. spy satellite tracked the launch of a surface-to-air missile from rebel-held territory shortly before the crash.

U.S. voice analysis confirms the authenticity of a damning cell phone conversation between two prominent separatist leaders discussing the crash that was intercepted and made public by Ukrainian officials.

“American intelligence shows surface-to-air missile launched from rebel-held territory and confirms authenticity of damning conversation between separatist leaders discussing the crash.”

German intelligence also blames pro-Russian separatists as responsible for the tragedy.

Myth 6.
There is a ceasefire now in Ukraine according to Minsk resolutions

According to the multilateral agreement between the OSCE representatives, Donetsk and Luhansk People`s Republics, Russia and Ukraine (this role was played by the second president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma), the ceasefire was announced in the warzone[3]. After that, Poroshenko’s so-called “peace plan” should also have been implemented. However, this agreement has been permanently broken by the Kremlin-baked separatists and Russian militants. Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the United States Department of State, affirmed in October: «From our perspective, Minsk resolution was a proper agreement, but it is not implemented. Shootings are still taking place in Donetsk airport, Debaltseve, Shakhtarsk. All external military forces have to leave Ukrainian territory.»[4].

Another evidence of having “cease fire” only on paper is the official statistics from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: by October 15th 2014, the terrorists had violated the casefire for more than 1400 times in the war-zone. As a result, 68 Ukrainian soldiers died and 428 were injured. Moreover, at least 51 civilians were victims of the fire from terrorists’ side.[5]. These, constant shootings have not yet stopped.

Myth 7.
The war in the East of Ukraine is a civil war

Indeed, it is a true fact that Ukrainians are on both sides of a war conflict. However, there are enough evidence of Russian army presence deep inside the Ukrainian territory. There are hundreds dead Russian soldiers that are constantly sent back to Russia. “Community of soldiers’ mothers” in Russia activated campaigns towards releasing official information about the location of Russian soldiers. In fact, organization’s secretary, V. Melnikova, reported that according to their estimations, approximately ten thousands of Russian soldiers were deployed to Ukraine. Moreover, there are multiple photos of Russian soldiers with weapons and equipment in the Eastern Ukraine, which is known thanks to a geolocation tagging of social networks where these photos were posted. Russian lawyer Olena Vasileva reported that overall number of dead Russian militants in Ukraine is no less than 4,5 thousand. Lately, Russia officially declared the deaths of nearly 900 of soldiers form the list [6].Moreover, people who had been wounded or injured are not counted.[7]

Satelites photos of Russian military equipment deep inside Ukraine. Legend: yellow frame on the left: Artillery; yellow frame on the right: Combat supply vehicle. Photo: Amnesty International

Dutch MP in the European Parliament Hans van Baalen told that both the EU and NATO have satellite photos of Russian troos presence deeply inside Ukraine.[8] Amnesty International also released photos from the space that prove the presence of Russian militants in Ukraine[9]. Moreover, majority of the “leaders” of people’s republic in the East have Russian citizenship. This is why it is more accurate to speak about this war as a proxy war of Russia in Ukraine, rather than Ukrainian civil war.

Myth 8.
Russian speaking population of Ukraine wants to join Russia

It is a huge delusion (that actually Putin has first fallen a victim to) that everyone who is speaking Russian is pro-Russian. It was easy to meet Russian speaking Ukrainian patriots during the (Euro)Maidan.

no less than 79% of Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine oppose the decision of Russian Federation to send its army to protect Russian speaking citizens of Ukraine.

Moreover, according to the result of IRI survey of residents of Ukraine, conducted on Septemer 12-25, 2014, no less than 79% of Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine oppose the decision of Russian Federation to send its army to protect Russian speaking citizens of Ukraine. In fact, total majority of people in the Russian-speaking South and East definitely do not support this decision[10].

The results of the IRI survey. Source: Rating Group, www.slideshare.net/Ratinggroup/2014-october-14-survey-of-residents-of-ukraine-september-12-25-2014

Myth 9. 
Poroshenko was elected only by people from Western and Central Ukraine, as it was not possible to vote on early presidential elections in the East of Ukraine and in Crimea

In fact, Poroshenko won elections in all but one District Election Commissions (nearly 2 hundreds) located all over Ukraine. Moreover, at 106 DECs more than a half of voters gave him theirs votes.[11] On the map below, the electoral support for Poroshenko is shown. As one could see, Poroshenko received overwhelming support throughout Ukraine.

Red color – election districts where Poroshenko won; greey color – election did not run; green – district where other candidate won. Source: Central Election Commission, cvk.gov.ua

Moreover, Central Election Commission of Ukraine started a project that simplifies the process of changing the voting address. Thus, residents of areas with non-operational polling stations could signed to vote into another precinct beforehand. In fact, this opportunity was used not only by residents of a warzone in the East, but also by Crimean citizens, as they went to Kherson, the nearest oblast, to vote.

Myth 10. 

Europe already imposed sanctions, including targeted ones, and sanctions work

European foreign policy towards Ukrainian Crisis is now based on a rational actors approach. The West is convinced that measures oriented towards weakening of Russian economy will make atrocities of war go away. However, I believe that Putin’s goals are not rational but more ideological ones. In fact, he does not care about his personal earnings or conditions of Russian elite, as he simply does not see a threat under existing authoritarian regime. The logic that the supply of luxuries and essential import products can swing Putin, underpins the EU sanctions. However, Putin is obsessed with the idea of increasing the Russian power and restoring the Soviet Union, as he frequently mentioned that the former Soviet countries are the artificial ones.

More to expect? Source: Taras Kuzio, twitter.com/TarasKuzio/status/508209191178104834/photo/1

Mychailo Wynnyckyj, Associate Professor of National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” and one of influential academics well-known for his “Thoughts from Kyiv” reflections on Ukrainian Revolution, indentifies two main reasons why sanctions are not influential enough:

a) Russian strategy could not be explained in terms of rational theory as “Russia is not a rational actor that recognizes the norms of international law (Crimea proved that, but it took MH17 to bring the issue home to Europeans and Australians)“;

b) as a result of non-rational forces of Putin’s authoritarian regime, “it is largely immune to such rationally grounded countermeasures as economic sanctions and/or international political isolation”. Wynnyckyj believes that 

Even though majority of Russians outside the Moscow and Saint-Pietersburg are living in non-acceptable living condition, they still express support to Putin. Thus, Putin does not care about any public opinion or discourse in Russia. Putin’s goal is to destroy Ukraine, cutting its territory into two along the Dnipro river, and then taking a swath of land along the Black Sea coast for ‘Novorossiya’…Unfortunately, neither economic sanctions against Russia, nor provision of direct military aid to Ukraine (both short term measures) will be sufficient to undermine these strategic goals.

There is nothing to argue with in these statement.