Foreigners in the Maydan

Long before the presidential elections various options of what would happen in Ukraine after November 21 were actively debated. The Serbian and Georgian scenarios were often mentioned, also that Ukrainians could not be organized to support any political campaign in principle (as evidenced by polls); that the opposition and government would use force... Even though it is too early to sum up the current situation, there is obviously a homemade Ukrainian scenario aimed at defending the people’s will. The Day interviewed people living abroad, asking them about the possible impact of Ukrainian events on the post-Soviet countries, how this has changed the attitude to Ukrainians in other countries, and whether recent events will mark a turning point in Ukrainian history and this country’s position in the international arena, so Ukraine will no longer be regarded as part of Russia.

Volodymyr VULCHYN, 67, Canada:

These events are unique. We’re taking steps no one else has taken, when more than a million people get together and how a perfectly peaceful conduct, without smashing a single window, without committing a single breach of the law. These events will be an example for many countries, showing a peaceful way to achieve something desired by the people, not by the powers that be. I left Ukraine when I was 16 years old. I’m visiting Ukraine to see what’s actually happening, although I have health problems. After World War II, they’d constantly asked us, “Who are you?” We said, “We’re Ukrainians” and heard in reply, “There are no Ukrainians. You’re Poles.” “No,” we insisted, “we’re Ukrainians!” They’d also say, “There’re no Ukrainians, you’re Russians.” No one knew about Ukraine and Ukrainians. Today, Ukraine is known throughout the world as a country showing an example worth being emulated. Events here don’t mean a Yugoslavian or a Georgian scenario; they indicate a peaceful change of power. Everything is being done in accordance with the constitution. The fundamental law reads that the people must decide its destiny. We’ll overcome and will become a happy nation.

I think the new government will be truly with the people, with the new generation which is no longer intimidated or suffering from hang-ups. Our young people want the kind of power that will allow them to live and speak freely.

All talk about a rift in Ukraine is absurd. It’s a provocation engineered abroad. [Moscow Mayor] Luzhkov came to Ukraine and declared that there was a political orgy underway in Kyiv, which had to be fought against. Fight against whom? No one is armed here, no one is trying to conquer anyone. Who gave Luzhkov the right to come to Ukraine and tell us what we must do? Is Ukraine mistreating Russians or the Russian-speaking part of its population? It is not! No one forbids you to speak Ukrainian, but there must be only one official language. When visiting Montreal or Quebec, I speak French, because the populace is French-speaking. But I speak English in Toronto or Vancouver. No one is fighting anyone there, no one is inviting the mayor of Paris to deliver instructions on what the Canadians should do.

There is no denying the fact that there is a struggle for Ukraine in the international arena, but we’ve been under Russian influence for four hundred years. We all know what this has led to. Of course, America and Europe also want to exert influence on Ukraine. Can this influence be harmful? We aren’t occupied by the United States; America has never occupied or sent any of us to Siberia...

Mikhayil MIRONIUK, 49, businessman, Moldova:

I’m Ukrainian and have lived in Moldova for the past twenty years. I remember similar events in Chisinau fifteen years ago. I also took part in them. I’m not sure if the kind of rallies I see in Ukraine would be possible in Moldova, under President Vladimir Voronin. I sincerely sympathize with the man, because the problem of separatism prevents him from carrying out a lot pf plans. He originates from Tiraspol and most Moldovans voted for him, hoping that his personality would help reunite Moldova split by separatism. Yet we can see that this separatism is undying, because it is supported by Russia.

Presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych declared he would make Russian another official language in Ukraine. Let me remind you that the Transdniester Region has three official languages: Ukrainian, Russian, and Moldovan, yet Russian has been predominant for the last fifteen years. Russian troops and Russian policy actually controls the entire territory. This is dangerous for Moldova and its Ukrainian neighbor.

Moldova is watching events in Ukraine with hope. I’m sure that neither the Serbian nor the Georgian scenario will be acted out in Ukraine. There will be a Ukrainian scenario, which is even better and which will be an example for all the post-Soviet countries, including my second homeland, Moldova.

Andrey SIDORKIN, 23, student, St. Petersburg:

I came to Kyiv because I couldn’t remain aloof. I’ve spent more than two weeks in this city. I’m witness to a remarkable civic upsurge, and the most amazing thing is that the people are so friendly. I hadn’t thought this possible. It’s a turning point, meaning that we must revise our views on fellow humans and on our life.

As for the impact of Ukrainian events on the post-Soviet countries, let’s wait awhile. Lots of things are still incomprehensible... We don’t know the outcome, what we’ll have in the end. After all, every upward curve is followed by a downward one, and people tend to forget things very quickly. Remember what happened in Russia, in 1993 [e.g., tanks firing at the “White House” — Ed.]. Many have forgotten all about it.

I think that Ukrainian have a greater awareness of national dignity, something people in Russia regrettably lack. Also, your solidarity is quite manifest.

I’m afraid that the official Moscow stand will result in Ukraine and Russia parting ways. This must not be allowed, because we have so many years of common history. What will be our future relationships like? I don’t think that Russia’s attitude will change, because the Russian mentality must change first. I think you know it as well as I do that the Russian approach to the former Soviet republics is a bit paternalistic. Frankly, I also used to feel that way. Reaching a turning point takes experience. One must visit Ukraine, communicate with your people and all paternalistic approach will vanish by itself.