The only way out of the crisis in Ukraine is a direct dialogue between the current …
Picture: Посолство на Русия
On the occasion of May 9 – Victory Day, FOCUS News Agency talks with Yuriy Isakov, Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria
FOCUS: Mr. Ambassador, does this year May 9 have a particular significance in view of the situation in Europe and the events in Ukraine? Will the tense situation affect the celebrations on the occasion of the victory over fascism?
Yuriy Isakov: Victory Day, May 9, is a special, sacred holiday to us. Its significance grows bigger each year – people’s memories, the feeling of gratitude and the debt which cannot be paid are supplemented by the practical task – fascism should not be allowed to be revitalised in Europe and, as a whole, in the world. The European continent has turned a blind eye for years on end on the way this ideology gains new followers and its promoters recruit new adherents; marches are organised to honour former SS members who the Nuremberg tribunal recognised as criminals, and it is a pity this could be these days seen in Ukraine.
FOCUS: As if for the first time in Europe for years is talking so much about the revival of fascism. There were signs Remember Hatin on the facade of the building burned in Odessa … It turns out that the victory over fascism was not permanent and definitive, but just the contrary?
Yuriy Isakov: On May 2 in Odessa we witnessed overt fascist actions. Russia will not allow to be swept “under the carpet” facts about those who have ordered this act and its perpetrators. We will seek the truth for the real scale of this tragedy, which is deliberately concealed by the Ukrainian government. It is necessary to conduct a detailed investigation, the results of which should be made public. Law enforcement services in Ukraine are now actually controlled by Svoboda party whose political platform is based on the declaration adopted by the accomplices of the Nazi fascists in June 1941.
According to the declaration the “real Ukrainians” were required to cooperate with Hitler to establish a new order in Europe. I will recall that the collaborators have killed not only Jews, Poles and Russian soldiers, but also Ukrainians, who refused to follow this slogan.
FOCUS: What is the official position of the Russian Federation in connection with speculation about the events related to the World War II? For example – downplaying the role of the Red Army’s victory over Nazi Germany?
Yuriy Isakov: Falsification of history and its interpretation in terms of the situation – it really is a very serious problem. Alas today there are – to put it bluntly – irresponsible activists who are trying not only to diminish the fighting and the labour feat of our people, but also throw a shadow of its glorious victory that was achieved at a very high cost. As for our official position on May 5 this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that is aimed at counteracting attempts to undermine the historical memory regarding the events of the World War II.
FOCUS: What do you think the outcome of the situation in Ukraine could be, what are the ways to get to the dialogue? What is the option of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine?
Yuriy Isakov: We are convinced that the only way out of the current crisis in Ukraine can be found provided that the current authorities in Kyiv and the southeast of Ukraine held direct full and inclusive dialogue. Protesters in the South and the East want to hear them in Kyiv, want to get a full and equal voice in deciding the fate of their own country. A necessary condition for this is the de-escalation of violence. Our country prices efforts of the OSCE and the Council of Europe for the organization of talks on the future of Ukraine among the Ukrainians.
Outside players – the U.S. or the European Union or Russia – should make help to ensure such dialogue. Nobody is going to solve the problems of Ukrainians than the Ukrainians themselves. It is not very clear how realistic is the second round of talks in Geneva, but in any case without the full participation of the South and the East of Ukraine in determining the further fate of their country the situation will not change for the better.
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