Nov 5- Nine things people still don't get about Ukraine
And a poem by Mariana Harahonych as published by EuroMaidan Press
Why this post?
Ukrainian voices are given very little space. I try to invite as many Ukrainians on EuroFile@6 as possible, and thank them for their generosity at a time when they’re focused of their own safety and survival. I saw this post and thought it was an excellent reminder of what Ukrainians have been telling us for years. We weren’t listening- we were dictating.
I’m also posting this because today a group of so-called peace advocates (politicians, TV personalities, artists and so-called journalists) are going to hold a demonstration in Rome demanding negotiations and that the Italian government stop sending arms to Ukraine. Italy’s contribution is more symbolic than essential, so this group is using the war and Ukrainian suffering as a way to gain visibility and advance Russia’s position. It’s despicable. In response to this demonstration, the Italian government reiterated stated its support of Ukraine, its defence and Ukrainians.
The pseudo-demonstration for peace in Rome isn’t an isolated event- last week saw the same demonstrations in Prague and other capitals across Europe. In Italy, the governor of Campagna, Vincenzo de Luca, spent 250,000 euro on the demonstration in Naples. Were the funds used to pay for the 300 rented buses and accompanying ‘advocates of peace’? Information analysts and Russia watchers are wondering if Russia had a hand in organising the demonstrations in Italy and Europe. We’re also investigating the nature of Russia’s relationship with the organising associations.
Another demonstration has been organised in Milano for today: it’s for Ukraine and to demonstrate Italy’s unwavering support for its people. There are Italians that understand what defeat would mean: the end of Ukraine as a state, and certain death and misery for many Ukrainians under Russian occupation. If you are in Milano, near Piazzia Sempione at 4 p.m., join in to show your support for Ukraine.
In the meantime, a gentle reminder of what Ukrainians need us to understand and accept, and a poem by Mariana Harahonych from the frontlines as published by EuroMaidan Press.
Ukraine Explainers- 9 things people still don’t get about Ukraine (Oct 23, 2022)
Thoughts from a bunch of stubborn Ukrainians after eight months of the invasion.
1. Ukraine will never surrender.
This is an existential war for Ukrainians. If we stop fighting, our homes will be turned into rubble, our children will be taken away, and our people will face mass terror.
With or without military or political support from the democratic world, Ukraine will keep on resisting – because we are fighting for our right to exist. For us, the reality of perpetual military resistance is more acceptable than the reality of the Russian occupation.
2. None of us is okay – even if we say we are.
Every day people across Ukraine keep dying from Russian shelling. Every week new stories of horror of Russia’s genocidal campaign emerge. Each week brings a new little catastrophe – and every week a little part of us quietly dies inside.
This has become the new norm Ukrainians are learning to navigate. But we keep holding on. In a way, trying to be okay as Ukrainians is the final act of resistance against Russia’s attempt to wipe out everything that is Ukraine.
3. Ukraine is fighting against Russian Colonialism , not just Putin.
Putin may have pulled the trigger, but the root of the invasion lies deeper than the current regime in Russia. For centuries, Russia has led colonial conquests from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Far East. It conquered and assimilated multiple indigenous peoples – and exterminated those who resisted.
The war might be paused when Putin’s regime implodes, but Ukrainians know all too well that a lasting peace is only possible with a decolonized and disarmed Russia.
4. Russian-speaking Ukrainians are not “more Russian.”
Yes, most Ukrainians are bilingual. Yes, 26% of Ukrainians are Russian-first speakers and 27% speak an equal amount of Russian and Ukrainian in their daily lives. But do you know why? Since the 19th century, Ukrainians were deliberately banned from using their language in education, labor, and public spheres of life. As a result, millions of Ukrainians switched to Russian and deliberately hid their Ukrainian traces. And Ukraine learned to exist successfully as a nation of bilinguals.
So, if you meet Ukrainians who speak Russian in their daily lives, do not assume they are “more Russian” than any other Ukrainian or that they support Russia in any way. They probably have a more interesting story to tell about language and identity – just ask them.
5. Ukraine never had a Nazi problem.
Not only Nazis in Ukraine had nothing to do with Russia’s invasion, but the entire notion of Ukraine being run by the far-right is and always has been ridiculous. The story of a “dangerous Nazi regime in Kyiv” has always been nothing more than a Russian propaganda myth.
Ukraine’s far-right movements have always been marginal and never had more than 5% of public support combined. Unlike some European states that do have a problem with far-right populism, Ukraine never really had a Nazi problem.
6. Ukraine is a democracy. Zelensky acts as our representative.
Ukraine is not perfect. But Ukrainians always fought back whenever authoritarianism loomed over: they protested in 2004 after a rigged election, and overthrew a corrupt wannabe dictator in 2014.
Understand that Zelensky – who received 73% of the public’s vote in 2019 – always acts on our behalf. Following the full-scale invasion, Zelensky’s actions were supported by 91% of Ukrainians. Notions of Zelensky forcing anything onto Ukrainians are out of touch with reality.
7. We will not shut up. Not anymore.
For too long, the Ukrainian perspectives were silenced by Russia and pro-Russian sentiments around the globe. Like many other nations colonized by Russia, Ukraine had to shut up and, at best, politely debate whatever Russians had to say. Ukrainians were denied agency: their choices were explained through conspiracies about the “US and NATO aggressive expansion.”
All of this must remain in the past. As the genocide continues, we will remain unapologetically Ukrainian – and make sure our voices are loud and clear.
8. Yes, we think all Russians are responsible for the war.
Ukrainians do not blame just Putin or the elites for the war – we blame the entire Russian nation. Putin and his cronies do not personally launch missiles at residential buildings. They don’t torture civilians living under occupation. They don’t take away Ukrainian children. They don’t attack Ukrainians abroad or online. Ordinary Russians do all those things.
They failed as a society, and now millions of Ukrainians are suffering from genocide because of this ongoing collective failure.
9. Ukrainians are afraid of what comes next. But we won’t surrender to our fears.
The only country that tries to occupy a sovereign state all while blackmailing the rest of the world with nuclear catastrophe is Russia. Like it or not, the genie is out of the box – Russia is already a fascist dictatorship on nukes that invades its neighbors. It is already a threat to global security – and this has nothing to do with the way Ukraine resists.
Ukrainians are afraid every night as we go to sleep and every morning while reading news of more death.
But if we let our fears consume us, Russia will most likely win, and its illegal invasion, genocide, and nuclear blackmail will be rewarded. This is exactly what leads to another world war.
As Dmytro Kuleba said, "It's absolutely normal not to have fear, yet to be afraid.”
Mariana Harahonych, Translated by Jeffrey Stephaniuk
I will return from war and look them in the eye All those who claim they have no desire to live Who are fed up with their jobs and bored by television I will give them a glimpse into what I have seen
The extremes of unbearable cold by night And overwhelming heat by day While they were waiting too long for a taxi And getting caught in the rain
We dared not fall asleep even for a moment, uncertain When the Grad missiles would hit like thunder
We learned how to sleep despite the noise of the mortars We took turns at being alert, so that others could "doze off"
Instead of tents, my friend, we slept in cellars Cold holes in the ground warmed by nothing Except our dreams and longing for our homes
There were times when we drank water off the ground And the only supper for ten men was one fried common snake We were all healthy, or seemed to be Since no one ever spoke about being sick
The worst experience to which one grew accustomed Was the daily loss of another man
And the uncertainty that the next day it could be YOU We learned to deal with it...we found the strength...we could cope
We are not the heroes you say we are... This is a place where humans go insane, their souls unhealthy From the experience of war...from a profound grief
While most others have shown their strength Blood and pain have made them stronger
We are here so that YOU can live there in peace We are here with the same desire for peace... And even when I am lying in a slit trench I never mistake it for a grave...
Instead my thoughts are about home, and work, and family I look forward to removing this armor for the last time... You can help by loving life There where you have peace and good fortune
Don’t wish ill upon yourself