Derussification of Ukraine

June 24, 2022

After «decommunisation» comes «derussification». On Sunday, June 19, 2022, the members of the Верховна Рада України [Verkhrovna Rada Ukraini] or Ukrainian parliament voted unanimously in favour of a new set of laws aimed at drastically limiting the spread of the Russian language in Ukraine, as well as literary and musical works made by citizens of the Russian Federation. Modern Russian books and music are banned and the language should also be heard as little as possible in the media.

In this way, the country also wants to distance itself culturally from Russia, with which, nevertheless, it has shared a lot of culture for years. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky has yet to sign the laws before they come into effect, but there is currently no indication that he would not do it.

I condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and I abhor the looting and the bombing, and the murder, rape and kidnapping of innocent civilians by Russian troops. I also think that the hysterical hawks who shout out the rudest, grossest and most vile war language in programmes like 60 минут [60 minut] or 60 Minutes in the Russian media deserve the harshest punishments, but I still think that the Ukrainian parliament is wrong with these laws.

Ukraine has always been a multicultural country, historically it is even the cradle of Russian culture. There are also many Russian-speaking people living there. One of them is President Volodimir Zelensky himself. Another one was Mikhail Bulgakov, who lived there for the first half of his life. Ukraine is said to have 30 to 35 percent Russian-speaking Ukrainians, and 20 percent Russian-speaking Russians. They are just as much victims of the Russian state terrorism and they do not necessarily support the criminal regime in power at the Kremlin.

Although with some good will they may be somewhat emotionally explainable, these laws will cause more harm than good  to the Ukrainian people. After all, with this, the Ukrainian parliament behaves just like the Russian propaganda machine reflects them: as intolerant nationalists or even fascists.

Of course, I will continue to support the Ukrainian fight against the Russian aggression, but I also fervently hope that the Ukrainian parliament, rather early than late, will realise that Ukraine can only win if they unite the people instead of dividing them.

Illustration

Majster ta Margarita

 

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