Arthur

Anatoly Sobchak on Ukraine, the CIS, Crimea, and the USSR. 1992 I came across this video by accident and decided to translate it. In the video, Sobchak is referring to events that took place in 1991-1992. But what we should pay attention to is a surprisingly accurate characterization that he gives to Ukrainian elites of those times: <...> And moreover, I think that today we have received the most dangerous symbiosis. The symbiosis of the former party nomenclature, moreover, we all know that in Ukraine the communist regime was of the most hidebound, crudely, I would say, character. I myself, in my veins flows just as much of Ukrainian blood as of Russian one, therefore, I can talk about it completely calmly. And I am most concerned by this symbiosis of extreme nationalists with such a nomenclature, conservatism, which was obvious to everyone. And today they have found each other very quickly. And now, if you pay attention, in the speeches, the leadership of the current Ukraine, there is not a word about human rights, about the rule of law, they all begin and end with the words about independence. And now we see what kind of independence they have chosen. For this independence, it turns out, first of all, an army is needed. An army that they would have created in as short a time as possible. <...> but as far as I know, Sevastopol has never been the base of the Ukrainian navy. It has always been the base of the Russian fleet, and this is a situation that cannot change under the influence of some momentary circumstances. What has been created for centuries, in one day, even if it was decided by representatives of the communist nomenclature together with the nationalists, it cannot be changed in one day. <...> I am an opponent of resolving any territorial conflicts by force. There should be negotiations here, but here you cannot miss the time, you cannot allow Ukraine to have already created such an army, that, if is going to be created, they are going to use. I don’t doubt this at all I believe that today we are planting a mine for not only our future, but also the future of all humanity. Yes, Sobchak was a controversial figure and his daughter is quite an odious person, but still, mind what he, as a well educated statesman said. Once again, all that he has said can be referred to nowadays events. And this is also something that has to be kept in mind - Ukraine was nationalistic already BEFORE the USSR collapsed. And Sobchak seen the danger of this already in 1992. In full on our Substack: open.substack.com/pub/eastca…