Nonviolence activist Olga Vlasova points out flaws on both sides of the Ukraine conflict. – I have lost some friends because of differences of opinion, admits the Ukrainian-Norwegian activist who is committed to a united Ukraine.
(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
- "The bloody images from Odessa have shown that we are just steps away from a military confrontation," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told El Pais on Tuesday. But on Wednesday, Putin then opened to withdraw forces and he spoke out against the independence vote in eastern Ukraine 11. May. This weekend, in "United Ukraine" you had activists from Maidan Square in Norway – why?
- There was a visit by two activists from Spilno TV, who organized live streaming from Maidan during the beginning of the protests. They are on a European mission to interview Protestants who receive medical treatment in Europe. They have little confidence in political leaders in Ukraine. They believe that many of them have corrupted the past. Their main message was that we ordinary citizens can change the situation by controlling the government through civil initiatives and democratic institutions, but this is only possible when the situation stabilizes. Now we are de-facto at war.
- There is talk of an information war from both sides of the conflict. What is the most accurate and nuanced picture of the situation as you see it?
- What the Russian state media broadcasts is simply a lie. Ukrainian media sometimes publishes unconfirmed information, especially regarding Russian interference in the conflict. It is clear to me that Vladimir Putin is doing everything he can to sabotage the May 25 presidential election. He creates an unstable situation in the eastern parts of the country. He will show that the Ukrainian government can not control the situation, that the Ukrainian military forces will kill their own people. He promoted the message that there is no difference between terrorists in Lugansk, Donetsk and Slovenian and those who protested at Maidan in Kiev. But that is not true.
- Maybe a difficult question, but what exactly is "true"?
- Maidan activists never took hostages, and they have neither kidnapped nor tortured journalists. Nor have they shot down a helicopter. Everything that happens in the East is reminiscent of the Crimean scenario. At the same time, I would not say that there are no ordinary people who are Prorussian followers. But they are in the minority. Most people are scared and sitting at home. The situation is complicated because the oligarchs, such as the Ukrainian Rinat Akhmetov, have their own interests. They need guarantees that their businesses will not be deprived of them. Akhmetov has great influence in the Donetsk region. As activist and journalist Mustafa Nayyem said during his visit to Oslo: “No one has invited eastern leaders to discuss the country's future. Many Ukrainians from the East feel that they have no political power in Kiev to represent their interests. ”According to Mustafa, this is the biggest mistake the transitional government has made.
- In February, you led non-violent actions in Norway with your Russian friend Ekaterina Sharova. Then the hope of peace was still alive. Since then, the Crimean Peninsula has become Russian and Eastern Ukraine split. Have you changed your mind since that time?
– Unfortunately, I can say that Putin's hate campaign is successful. I have lost some friends due to differences of opinion. There are some Russians who equate the pride of their country with the agreement with Putin's regime. I see more people from both sides becoming more radical and aggressive towards each other. At the same time, by expressing my opposition openly, I have met many wonderful people, Russians among them, who have supported me in this difficult situation.
- Ukrainian nationalists, such as the extreme Right Sector, are said to have played a role in the Odessa violence May 2, when 42 people burned to death in a union building. Are you worried about rising nationalism in Ukraine and that nationalists are gaining more power?
- I do not know where this information about the Conservative Party comes from. Russia Today? Then you can check out the first Ukrainian channel on English UN1, which was recently established. According to their latest news, the Ukrainian security service has found evidence that the tragedy in Odessa was financed by former members of Yanukovych's government. There is no evidence of Conservative involvement, as far as I know. I am worried about the growing nationalism in Russia, not in Ukraine! There is a striking difference between the Russian neo – Nazi protest marches, clearly visible in almost all major Russian cities, the behavior of the Russian police against non-ethnic Russians, and the behavior of Ukrainians in western Ukraine.
- But what about what happened in Odessa – 42 dead, very many Prorussians?
- What happened is obviously a cruel provocation. All we know is that football fans were attacked by unknown people. Some of the attackers wore red and Prorussian, orange and black, ribbons. Videos and pictures prove that the police were without action. It looks like the police have been cooperating with attackers. After the first pro-Ukrainian activists were killed, they burned down the Prorussian camp, while the Prorussians barricaded themselves in the union's house. Why didn't they just quit? One can only speculate. What is clear to me is that Putin is making the most of the tragedy. One must wait for the results of an independent investigation.
- Was it right by the Kiev government to start military operations in eastern Ukraine? Residents of Slovjansk are quoted in international media as saying they perceive it as an attack on civilians, from their own authorities.
- Yes. I think so. Those who take hostages, torture, kill and kidnap people are terrorists. The Russian president believes he will never have negotiations with terrorists. At the same time, Putin demands that the Ukrainian government tolerate criminal acts by heavily armed "peaceful activists" who have the capacity to shoot down helicopters. I wonder where did those weapons come from? Everything looks like the Crimean scenario again. I would like to emphasize that it is very important to distinguish between ordinary citizens, with a Prorussian position, and terrorists. It is very important that these ordinary civilians are not killed or threatened during military operations. And that is the biggest challenge for our government.
- In February, you believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was greatly weakened and would fall. Are you thinking the same thing today?
- It has to happen, but not now. But the more limited the regime's freedom, the less chance it has of surviving. Russia is too big to become North Korea, Russians have too many ties with Europe. They will not be isolated. Now Putin has banned the use of profanity in art and literature. How ridiculous is that?
- Putin gets a lot of blame for today's tense situation. But what could have been done differently from the other parties to the conflict? By Ukraine's transitional government, by Europe, the US and a country like Norway?
- I agree with Putin's former adviser Andrey Illarionov: Only similar military power can stop Putin. If the worst happens and Putin begins an open war with Ukraine, then NATO members must stand by Ukraine and help the military. The West must give clear notice of this! Before that time, they have to impose even stricter financial sanctions than they have so far.
OLGA VLASOVA(29)
* Born in Kiev. Co-organizer of the visit of journalists and bloggers Sergey Leschenko and Mustafa Nayyem.
* Activist. Coordinator of the media group of the Ukrainian Association of Norway.
* Organized non-violence demonstration with both Russians and Ukrainians in February.
* Works as a consultant at NAV and holds a master's degree in English from the University of Oslo.
- Her work can be followed https://twitter.com/ukrainsk1 og http://ukrainsk.wordpress.com/
