Some articles on the situation in Ukraine, which were recently published, convince us that their authors have lost the sense of reality and moderation. The claims that Russia is a sponsor and exporter of terrorism and poses a threat to the whole civilised world reflect utmost immorality and cynicism. How much should they disrespect the readers to use such a low-grade rhetoric that has nothing in common not only with professional ethics, but also with the elementary rules of human communication. We do not intend to resemble them and to continue this indirect debate in such a manner. And what else can we discuss with people who call millions of their compatriots terrorists and other offensive words only because they want others to respect their opinion?
Kiev continues to live in its own separate world, completely unwilling to hear that the current events in the south-east of the country are no more than a natural reaction of its population to the actions of self-proclaimed Kiev authorities, acting on the principle of “if there is no human right, there will be no violation of it”. Citizens of a number of regions of the country are being targeted by Ukrainian armed forces and being killed every day at the hands of radical nationalists with the criminal connivance of the so-called Ukrainian authorities.
I have to draw the attention to the tragic events in Odessa, where hundreds lost their lives and were injured. Cruelty and inhumanity of the “Right sector” and other Ukrainian nationalist radicals rank them together with fascists, who exposed to genocide entire villages and towns in the former Soviet Union during the Second World War. It is no coincidence that Odessans named the tragedy of May 2 as the second Khatyn (village in Belarus), citizens of which were burned alive by the Ukrainian chasteners from amongst Nazi associates. Now and then, those who did not die immediately and tried to make a safe getaway were finished off on the spot.
Unleashing terror
After the events in Odessa, and after Ukrainian forces began their punitive operation in the south-east of the country, it has become completely clear what was destined for the citizens of Crimea and Sevastopol if they had not make that fateful decision in March 2014 to reunify with the Russian Federation. I think that last doubts have been put off now by the people living in the eastern regions, who tried to stay aside and cherished illusions that Kiev would keep its promise to implement reforms in the regions or provide additional guarantees for the use of Russian and other languages in this part of the country.
We have a good saying: “Uneasy conscience betrays itself”. Kiev, by unleashing terror against south-east Ukrainian citizens, is throwing the country into turmoil of the civil war. It will bear full and inevitable responsibility before its own people for the catastrophic consequences. There can be no doubt about that. Still, there is time for Kiev to come to its sense. Common sense.
Alexander Efimov is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the UAE.
This article is the last in the debate between Yuriy Polurez, Ambassador of Ukraine to the UAE, and Alexander Efimov, on the current political crisis in Ukraine.
