A missed Chance

As Viktor Chernomyrdin was lying in state, an unprecedented number of people wanted to share their opinions on this unconventional politician. Naturally, very many voices rang out in Russia, for Mr. Chernomyrdin was prime minister during the very difficult 1990s, a period of transition from the Soviet to the post-Soviet era, but his work always bore a seal of natural humanity. Many recalled his relationship with parliament and journalists. Those were unforgettable jokes. But it seemed to me these reminiscences had a deep nostalgic subtext.

Remembering Mr. Chernomyrdin, journalists and politicians spoke of him as a missed chance. They claim that if Russia had elected him president after Yeltsin, it could have chosen a different path. I think they are right. I do not mean that everything would be easy and cloudless, particularly in regards to Ukraine. For Mr. Chernomyrdin was known as a tough negotiator…

I worked in the Yevhen Marchuk government when the premiers of our countries discussed many common problems. There will perhaps come a time when much more will be said about the way politics might have been done and about the stage when the latter assumed an entirely different nature — because very much of this was occurring before my eyes.

I can recall the following detail. Mr. Marchuk had served as premier for less than a year and foresaw his dismissal. Shortly before this, Mr. Chernomyrdin came and, being aware of the difficult relationship between the premier and the president, said to Mr. Marchuk: “Yevgeny, why not make peace with yours? Mine is a bigger fool than yours…” This phrase amply characterizes both the times and Mr. Chernomyrdin.

I have never more witnessed such a great ingenuity of great people.

I have so much to tell about Viktor Chernomyrdin. I met him many times. And, incidentally, I first met him when I was a journalist in Rostov-on-Don, well before I began to work in the government. No matter how much some may be saying that new pragmatic people should come into politics, pragmatism does not mean cynicism. Today’s pragmatists ought to remember always that there were also people before them, who knew how to do the job (without calling themselves pragmatists) and, at the same time, remain humane without drooling over things. This is why we gratefully venerate their blessed memory.