One Up For Russia

Ukraine In a State of War With Itself

"Today Ukraine is in a state of war and in a state of partial occupation by Russia. And when war is going on, giving the air to the enemy -- I believe it is state treason."
"I cannot imagine that Poland, which was occupied by Hitler, would give him airtime on the radio so that Fuhrer could explain his position."
Ihor Miroschnichenko, Ukrainian lawmaker, Svoboda party

Strange that a neo-right-wing nationalist party, avidly anti-Semitic, would not recognize how much they have in common with Hitler's Nazis, since they both value fascism. But there you have it, it is common for outsiders to recognize traits and priorities and behaviours that those who practise do not themselves see for what they are. Conversely, they may, but refute any resemblance and, in any event, don't much care.

Activists of the Svoboda Ukrainian nationalist party shout slogans as they take part in a rally .. symbol of peace allied with a stylized Swastika; how very original

Mr. Miroschnichenko was, then, by his analogy, completely justified for bringing together a group of like-minded hoodlums to storm state-owned Ukrainian TV which was showing the news, and broadcasting scenes of celebration on Moscow's Red Square, relating to Russia's annexation of Crimea. Those hoodlums were nationalist politicians, members of the Svoboda party. Whom the new government has brought on board with several key posts in the new Ukrainian cabinet.

Russia has reason to play this event up gleefully. Didn't it warn that right-wing nationalist thugs were taking over the Ukrainian (temporary) government? Were not those associated with Svoboda the heavies at the Maidan? Did they not speak darkly, time again, through the words of Vladimir Putin that anti-Semites were at work here? And isn't the West, championing the new Ukraine just a mite embarrassed about this overt display of nationalist fervour relying on violence to get its message across?

Yes, the stakes are high and passions run deep, an emotionally trying time for Ukraine, and who can blame them? Hands up, please. The modern, democratic face that Ukraine is bravely and painfully demonstrating for the West just met another blip on its way to full democracy and membership in the European Union. By all accounts out of Russia's propaganda machine, Kyiv's new leadership is bubbling beneath the surface with radical nationalists terrorizing Russian speakers.

Which explains helpfully, why the Kremlin had no choice but to authorize their president to send in the troops. Though President Putin didn't send in the troops; Crimea just fell with immense gratitude for the opportunity, into Russia's expansionist lap. And what has the European Union to say about Ukraine salting its new parliament with unsavoury rightists?

Well, here's a few items dating from December 13, 2012 in Strasbourg:European Parliament ... document
RC-B7-0544/2012

8.  Is concerned about the rising nationalistic sentiment in Ukraine, expressed in support for the Svoboda Party, which, as a result, is one of the two new parties to enter the Verkhovna Rada; recalls that racist, anti-Semitic and xenophobic views go against the EU's fundamental values and principles and therefore appeals to pro-democratic parties in the Verkhovna Rada not to associate with, endorse or form coalitions with this party; 

13.  Calls on Ukraine to end the selective application of justice in Ukraine at all levels of government and to make it possible for opposition parties to participate in political life on the basis of a level playing field; calls on the authorities, in this context, to free and rehabilitate politically persecuted opponents, including Yulia Tymoshenko, Yuri Lutsenko and others;

Of course Ukrainians are stressed out from the emotional tension of a neighbouring country invading and co-opting a significant element of their geography. What country's citizens wouldn't be livid with rage seeing Russian forces seizing the Crimean peninsula and Ukrainian ships, evicting Ukrainian soldiers from military bases? Ihor Miroschnichenko's emotions burst into a show of patriotic violence.

He and a group of his Svoboda colleagues stormed the office of the First National channel's chief, Oleksandr Panteleymonov, cursed him, and repeatedly struck him, the scene recorded on video. Is it worth mentioning that Mr. Miroschnichenko who is a former journalist sits on the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech? Yes, it is worth divulging that little factoid. Though the man refuses to publicly reveal that he beat Mr. Panteleymonov.

Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk was swift to condemn the assault as undemocratic. And it is rather inconvenient in many ways that a member of Svoboda was given the new government cabinet post of prosecutor general, in charge of investigating the TV station attack.