(Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine)
Brothers and sisters! Here is the summary for March 27
The bad news:
1. No one in the Ukrainian Presidential Administration seems to see any threat from Russia point-blank. Today, Serhiy Pashynskiy, acting head of the Presidential Administration, came out with a rather confusing speech, the conclusion of which was – all reports about a possible attack on the Ukrainian territory in the next few days are “an information attack” of the Kremlin.
Mr. Pashinskiy believes that anyone talking about the possible invasion are Moscow’s “fifth column.” Based on that, this term should also include me and my colleagues, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, and even the U.S. intelligence community. Alternatively, this has a hint of schizophrenia.
As a matter of fact, it’s unclear why Moscow would start such rumors in the first place, it being the main party to denounce any aggression in the works. Which is exactly what Mr. Pashinskiy is also doing.
If the Presidential Administration wants to prevent panic, they should first understand that it was their deafening silence for many days, from the start of the Crimean invasion, that served to demoralize Ukrainians the most – this includes the population as a whole as well as the Army and the Navy.
Today, the people and the Army are ready to repel attacks – at least morally. They deserve a truthful picture, so tell them the truth and mobilize society to fight back. What’s with all these lies? Why ring the bell declaring “twelve o’ clock and all is well?” I can’t understand this. All I know is that this is not for the good of the nation.
2. The United Nations General Assembly voted for the resolution on Ukraine. As a whole, it is a positive fact (more on that below), but there is a disturbing sign as well.
The 11 votes against the resolution that condemns Russia’s actions and the Crimean “referendum” (that came from Putin’s perpetual sinister band – North Korea, Zimbabwe, Syria, Belarus and others) are only half the problem. What’s worse is that 58 states – that is, a good third of the global community – quietly abstained.
The most surprising thing is that China stood at the head of the “silent ones.” Does this mean that China does not object to such “referendums for independence?” In that case, why are they ready to drown Tibet in blood, just to disallow a similar referendum there?
On the other hand, in 2008, when Russia attacked Georgia, there were many more “quiet ones” at the UN General Assembly – 78. The number of Russia’s friends at the time reached the sizable 19. It looks like the world is slowly learning from its mistakes. Let’s just hope that the complete epiphany doesn’t come too late.
The good news:
1. Again, the resolution of the U.N. General Assembly. We received the full support of 100 countries. The entirety of the civilized world is interested in Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The only ones who want “referendums” at gunpoint and annexation of others’ territories are Putin and a handful of the world’s pariahs.
Now we need to figure out what to do with this resolution, because that document is non-binding in nature. But the Ukrainian MFA has already declared that they can use this document as the basis for the other, more specific steps within the framework of international mechanisms. Which steps those are remains to be seen.
But in either case, a round of applause for our diplomats. They did well.
2. The mayor of Kharkiv, Hennady Kernes, declared that no local referendums of any sort will be held in his city (at least until the parliament passes an appropriate law). Previously, a similar statement was made by Serhey Taruta, the governor of Donetsk Oblast.
I will not idealize the current local authorities in the southeastern oblasts. There are plenty of guys there, at whose sight, makes you want to spit.
But ultimately, the people of a sovereign state have the right to select their own leaders, and a local official elected by the people, even if not universally popular, is much better than a gauleiter sent by Moscow.
3. Ukrainian troopers took control over Mars-75 navigation station of the Russian Black Sea Fleet located in Henichesk, Kherson oblast.
To be fair, Russian military stopped appearing at that station two months ago. But this is the right step nevertheless. Any sites where Russian military do or may appear must be taken under [Ukrainian] control. That is the only way to keep this evil contained inside Crimea.
Eventually, God willing, we will kick them out of there, too, and chase them all the way to the Caucasus. Let us hope that’s exactly what will happen.
