Ukrainians who went to the streets to
defend their rights and freedoms did not come to fight. Standing peacefully on
the frozen Miydan for two months, they hoped that their governm
ent would hear
them. It did not happen, and they revolted against their entire political
system, which is based on mis-governance, rent-seeking and corruption. This
system was established two decades ago and the Orange Revolution failed to
dismantle it. Today neither the opposition nor the President seem to be in
control of the situation. The craziest scenario for Ukraine just several months
ago now becomes increasingly realistic – Western and Central Ukraine under the
nationalist-democratic alliance, Donbas and the South ruled by Yanukovych and
the Party of Regions and Crimea falling into Putin’s hands. This is the price
of continued violence in the Ukrainian capital.Today the future of Ukraine, and
I believe the region, is being decided on the streets. No matter the outcome,
these protests mean the end of Ukraine as we know it – a misgoverned and
corrupt country trying to position itself between the EU and Russia.
The state of Ukraine is very fragile.
I do not see how the president can hold onto power for more then a few months. In the current state of the uprising, the
only political solution can be his resignation. After hundreds of injuries,
five deaths, and many kidnappings and torturings, Ukrainians will not except
any less. He has few choices today: resign or face the chance of being arrested
and possibly executed. I am led to believe this by daily communications with
hundreds of Ukrainians on social media, who put their trust in me and are
begging for help. I can tell you they are not planning to give up their fight.
They are planning to win even if that means guerrilla war or death.
Not only the president will have to
make a choice today. Western governments have to finally make a choice for the
sake of peace and stability in the region. Nobody wants another hot spot for
unrest, especially in the middle of Europe. We can let Ukrainians fight their war by themselves. That can mean
many months of violence and instability. Or, we can chose to act, and help them
in their fight to transform Ukraine into the real democracy.
I do not even want to predict what
could happen if we do not act now. One thing I can tell you, it would not be
pretty. The general feeling among Ukrainians is, as one person wrote me
“You help, or F off ” The EU and US have already lost credibility in
the eyes of ordinary Ukrainians who believed in their western values
I think we have to stop politely
asking the government of Ukraine to stop the violence. They will not listen.
Enough empty words. There are at least three immediate steps to take towards
the cessation of violence and a possible solution to the crisis. Firstly, the
US and EU should impose immediate personal sanctions on government officials who
support the regime and the crackdown on the protest. Sanctions can not be
limited just to the visa bend. We have to start investigations, freeze assets
and issue arrest warrants. Secondly, Permanent members of the UN security
council have to call a meeting on Ukraine and issue a resolution quickly.
Thirdly, the US and EU must send representatives to mediate the situation in a
democratic manner.
Myroslava Gongadze is a journalist living in Washington, D.C., and the widow of slain journalist Georgiy Gongadze, a 2000 murder for which ex-President Leonid Kuchma remains a top suspect.
