Ukraine Crisis in Europe: Battle for positive perceptions
Francky Blandeau has more than 10 years experience in the field of international cultural cooperation
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Ukraine Today Opinion. Former Cultural Attache of the French Embassy in Ukraine Francky Blandeau
Regardless of whether they are ideologically on the right or the left, many French politicians and political observers share similar attitudes towards the Ukraine crisis: they are indifferent or unaware of events in east Ukraine and are happy to ignore it. In recent weeks, a number of leading French political figures including former French President Nicolas Sarkozy have made public statements to the effect that Russia was within its rights to invade Crimea and return the Ukrainian peninsula to its historical owners. They have also argued that international condemnation over Russia’s role in east Ukraine is misguided, and claimed that Putin is a great statesman. One prominent French politician even stated on TV that ‘Ukraine is not a country.’
It is commonly stated that the new government in Kyiv is not democratic. Marine Le Pen’s Front National has happily echoed the Kremlin narrative of Ukrainian neo-Nazis. Many observers repeat all manner of rumours and disinformation with seeming impunity. These efforts are damaging and insulting to Ukraine but they continue because nobody knows any better. The apparent goal of these anti-Ukrainian statements is to maintain good relations with Russia. There are a whole range of problems facing France, including radical Islam, unemployment and the European economic downturn. These are the issues dominating the French political agenda, and they easily eclipse Ukraine, which does not get any attention.
We should not assume that these misguided attitudes towards Ukraine are only held by senior politicians and members of the chattering classes. On the contrary, these messages being promoted and have an impact on perceptions of the Ukraine crisis among the sider population. The propaganda position being promoted in France states that Russia is legitimately defending the rights of Russian-speaking minorities in Ukraine. Ordinary members of the French public, who know little about Ukraine and have no inclination to learn more, tend to accept this version of events and move on.
On numerous occasions, I have personally heard people saying that France should not get involved in Ukraine’s problems. It is also fashionable to claim that while Lviv is part of Europe, east Ukraine falls within the Russian sphere of influence. There is a sense that we are to blame for failing to establish a dialogue with Russia in the post-Soviet period. Should we apologize!?
The ambiguous attitudes pose an additional threat to Ukraine, which is already facing immense military, economic and social challenges. French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy may proclaim in a theatrical way that Ukraine is the heart of Europe, this is a minority opinion which is shared by very few leaders or opinion-formers in Europe. If we fail to recognize this, we are only deceiving ourselves. It is crucial for Ukrainians to understand one simple thing – the fight for their identity has only just begun.
In 2016 Russia is scheduled to open a vast Orthodox spiritual cultural centre in the heart of Paris close to the city’s most famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower. It is not clear what the state of bilateral relations will be at that point, but it will be a major event along the lines of the ‘Year of Russia in France’ in 2010. Speaking about what we usually call ‘soft power’, what can Ukraine offer to foreign audiences? What resources is the government willing to mobilize to improve the country’s image internationally? It’s not only a matter of money: new projects and new ways of collaboration should be launched with people who effectively want to change the situation.
One partial solution is to introduce European audiences to aspects of Ukrainian culture which they will regard as fresh and new. Ukraine must take advantage of its potential and its talents to the maximum. It may be challenging to organize Ukrainian concerts and exhibitions in Berlin, Madrid, Rome and Paris, but Kyiv could host similar cultural events showcasing the best of contemporary European art. The arts community is open to new experiences and so there is every reason to believe that they will jump at the chance to come to Kyiv. Ukraine must create the platforms for the exchange of impressions and experiences. In this regard, it is the start of a whole new chapter in the country’s history and a unique opportunity for all Ukrainians.
About the author: Francky Blandeau is the former Cultural Attache of the French Embassy in Ukraine. He has more than 10 years experience in the field of international cultural cooperation.