“We Often Are a Defending Party. While We Should Actively Advocate Our Principles”

July 11, 2019, the Ukrinform hosted an interesting discussion on the upcoming meeting of the UN Security Council on the Ukrainian Language Law. The meeting of the Security Council was again initiated by the Russian Federation

 

The charitable foundation “Accent” together with the public initiative “Amber Way” this time devoted their event to the RF’s so-called initiative to hold a meeting of the UN Security Council, on the agenda of which would be the Language Law of Ukraine. Participants of the event in the Ukrinform expressed their seeing of this not ordinary event, outlined a series of related problems that Russia is trying to shift onto Ukraine, and shared their thoughts on how we should respond to such accusations. The Executive Director of the “Accent” Foundation, Dmytro Levus, in his opening speech reminded of Russia’s attempts to discredit Ukraine’s efforts to establish a peace process in the Donbas, despite the fact that the RF itself neglects the rights of national minorities living in the occupied territories and proposes, as a rule, illogical demands regarding the sanctions imposed.

According to the present well-known analyst Taras Chornovil, if Russia has now started pursuing its policy with the use of all kinds of what they call “skrepy” (bonds), Ukraine should “incorporate” the principle of the “mirror” and contrapose its own demands, voice its own objections, defend its own interests. Even in such a topical issue today as a language one. And at this we should ask: “Who are the judges?”, meaning the Russian opponents, their frank ignorance of their own legislation, their ignoring international principles of coexistence of states and peoples.

“We often are only a defending party”, T. Chornovil remarked, — “instead of attacking and stubbornly persist in our truth! Yes, it’s hard to contrapose something to Russia, but that does not mean that we should always agree with it or always make concessions to it. We must take care of the unity of our society, the unanimity of state structures for such a counteraction to the RF”.

It is hard to disagree with T. Chornovil on this. This sounded in many speeches. For example, participants of the event found right the advice about the preparation of analytical materials for any events attended by the Ukrainian leadership. Indeed, in the same RF, various institutions, even non-governmental ones, constantly compile analytical notes for Russian leaders, which helps them to work at all levels — from local to international. Lately, the Russians have made it a rule to actively use public initiatives that significantly affect the formation of public opinion. For example, such as the religious procession of believers during church holidays or artistic events, where a large number of spectators are gathering. By the way, at least 400 NGOs are actively functioning in the RF itself. This fact does not need any comments.

As for the forthcoming meeting of the UN Security Council and the RF’s attempts raise the question of the Ukrainian Language Law there, in the opinion of the present, events may develop in different ways, including the Council may refuse to consider this issue, as it did last time, on the May day when the newly elected President of Ukraine made an oath in the Verkhovna Rada.

This was stated by political scientist Yevhen Mahda. The meeting of the Security Council will not be effective for Russia, and it is not the results of the meeting that matter, but how they will be presented in the media.

“In such cases Russia always tries to kill two birds with one stone”, explained Ye. Mahda. — “That is, it always strives to be the initiator of the event, and to have the last word because it is best remembered. This is like links in a chain”.

According to the political scientist, the Ukrainian society today needs consolidation, which can hardly be achieved during the elections. Therefore, our society is approaching its great crisis. Today’s power, although consolidated in one hands, lacks experience. And because of this, both, Europe and the whole Western world will demand from Ukraine to agree even to what is completely disadvantageous to it. Deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine Dmytro Zolotukhin is also inclined to adhere to this conclusion, because, as he said, we have not developed a strategy for responding to challenges at the state level, it is not determined how we should repulse external attacks.

In the photo: the participants of the meeting in the Ukrinform

 

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