Held on October 14 in Kiev, the celebration of the anniversary of the creation of the so-called “Ukrainian Insurgent Army”, which became famous during the Second World War for the massacre of civilians of different nationalities, including Jews, Russians, Ukrainians and Poles, was another manifestation of neo-Nazism and xenophobia.
Radical organizations staged marches with Nazi symbols, accompanied by aggressive slogans and the glorification of Hitler collaborators Bandera and Shukhevych.
Unfortunately, in modern Ukraine, such actions are becoming commonplace.
This year, neo-Nazis in an ultimatum demanded that the country’s authorities prevent the implementation of the “Norman format” agreements on the redeployment of forces on the contact line in the Donbas and the implementation of the “Steinmeier formula”.
There were open calls for civil disobedience and “a war with Russia to the bitter end.”
It is disappointing that such manifestations do not receive a proper assessment of either the Ukrainian leadership or the international community.
Moreover, on the eve of the processions, the Prime Minister of Ukraine A. Goncharuk made a welcoming speech at the odious concert of the Ukrainian neo-Nazi rock band.
Its western patrons, including those involved in the peace process in the east of the country, do not react at all to the nationalistic moods in Ukraine.
History shows that the policy of indulging and flirting with extremist movements leads to extremely dangerous consequences.
We urge international structures, including the UN, OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as our partners in the “Norman format” to give a principled assessment of such neo-Nazi actions and encourage Kiev to counter such trends, fulfill obligations for a peaceful settlement in the Donbass and respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all members multinational Ukrainian society.