He suddenly said, to no one in particular, “I don’t need this.”
The president looked down at the sandy-brown Cocker Spaniel recently given to him by his prime minister. “Sparky, did you say something?”
Sparky tossed back his ears and his big black oval eyes lapped up what he took to be his master’s love. But, of course, that dog didn’t reply.
“I don’t need this,” Yanukovych repeated before he could cuff his mouth. Each time the president removed his hand, the words spilled out: “I don’t need this.”
Moral of the story: If a leader does right by the nation, people will lionize him
Not for a single moment did the president think he was losing his mind. Presidents don’t go bonkers – other people go bonkers. He was, he surmised, having a metaphysical experience. A religious person might equate it to the light that blinded the biblical Saul of Tarsus as he made his way to Damascus.
After a short while, the internal voice disappeared. But what was the president to make of this bizarre occurrence?
Power being a 24-hour, seven-day experience, Yanukovych called for his driver, and his entire 12-car entourage readied for the short jaunt into the city as on any workday. Then, a strange thing occurred.
The president waved off the parade, and said he preferred to drive himself.
Of course, all were shocked, including Igor, his chauffeur, who didn’t know whether the boss knew brakes from bananas or a transmission from a tree. They all protested, but to no avail. After all, you don’t argue with the president. At least, you don’t argue for long.
Word spread quickly around the estate and then-even though it was a weekend-into the warrens of bureaucracy that the president was acting strangely.
It was whispered in the hallways that there had been a similar occurrence in the 18thcentury involving England’s King George III.
Once in his office, Yanukovych made two quick telephone calls without the help of an assistant: One was to imprisoned former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
At first, this proved difficult because some moron said that he wasn’t on the approved list of callers.
The second call was to roundup his two sons, Alexander and Viktor Jr.
“Yulia,” the president said. “You’re probably guilty as hell of something, but the charge of malfeasance on the gas deal was a bum rap. Today, I am signing a presidential pardon. You’ll be free by Monday.” He then quickly reminded her that it was November and not April Fools’ Day.
He was pleased with himself.
About this time, both his grown boys arrived in his outer office. They were businessmen who some say benefited by having papa as president.
As they stood before him, Yanukovych told them with a smile: “Sons, go out and get real jobs. Sasha, you’re a dentist for crying out loud. I want this whole ‘the family’ stigma to disappear.”
Over the weeks to come, Ukraine, and indeed the world, saw a very changed president.
After moving out of his palatial estate, Yanukovych rented a very plush but reasonable presidential apartment across from the equally plush Sofiyskiy Fitness Center.
While working out, he kept a watchful eye on his political rival, boxer Vitali Klitschko, who was also a member.
But it was on the larger stage that Ukraine finally began to fulfill the promise of independence.
Yanukovych cleaned house and began bringing in young reformers too idealistic to be bribed. He pushed forward the agenda of integrating Ukraine into the European Union.
This happened, finally, before anyone thought possible, in 2018.
On NATO, the president thought hard and came to the conclusion that it was better to take part in the organization without being an actual member.
This disappointed a lot of Westerners, but others said it was a nod toward Russia and a smart geopolitical move.
Behind the scenes, Yanukovych called in his grandchildren. Gathering them around the fireplace, he said in a soft voice, “I am going to leave you a legacy – a good legacy for you to follow. I am going to leave Ukraine a better place than I found it.”
A much loved President Yanukovych had only token opposition in his next run for president, but it was a fair election with the media confidently reporting on all sides.
Postscript: President Viktor Yanukovych lived a very long life. He retired after his second term even though many urged a change in the Constitution so he could have a third term.
He refused.
In retirement, he often welcomed visitors to his home in Donetsk, where people paid the great man homage.
Upon his death, his birthday each year was declared a holiday.
The Defender of the Motherland statue was replaced by the towering Yanukovych Monument of white marble.
Some called him the George Washington of Ukraine. He was, indeed, the father of a new Ukraine.
What happened on that crisp Saturday morning remains a mystery. Some said that underneath the rough exterior, the fellow had a good heart, a great vision and always wanted what was best for his country.
Others said it all had to do with that dog, Sparky.
Me, I don’t know, I’m just telling the story as I heard it, a long time ago.
Kyiv Post CEO Michael Willard can be reached at [email protected]
