Stop the war against Ukraine

Today there is a war between Russia and Ukraine, between two countries that through history have been parts of one state. People in both countries are affected in extremely negative ways by the current situation. After all there are lot of legacies and connections between the two countries’ inhabitants. And this tragedy is happening on a continent where many used to believe that war for territories were parts of history. Even if Russia is the biggest country in the world the Kreml has played the really nasty nationalist card. The annexation of Crimea has resulted in national pride and stronger trust in the government and Putin. But there are also other kinds of consequences. The increasing state spending for Crimea, sanctions and isolation from Europe and the negative publicity for Russia. And also a grievance among the citizens who are against the war.

Anti-war protestors in Russia are clear with one message. The war between “Russian and Ukrainian brothers” must stop immediate. At the same time the absurdity of the Russian state and pro-state propaganda is the opinions that Russians and Ukrainians are the same people, with the same “civilizational destiny” and that Ukrainian language is just a dialect of Russia. At the same time Ukrainians are called for fascists, traitors and according to some propagandists even conspirators with the West against Russia.

When I look at the pictures form anti-war marches in Moscow, S:t Petersburg and other parts of Russia I am foremost glad to see all the people that have courage to dare to stand against the aggression against Ukraine. It reminds me how people in Serbia during the 90’s dared to stand against aggressions against Croatia and Bosnia. And also about the people in Western Balkans that used too and still are used to fight against the corruption, hate, nationalism and inter-ethnical violence. About those who are engaged for Serbian and Bosnian EU membership, for welfare societies and better functional democracies where focus should be on the future and not on the tragedies of the past.

Because of the citizens that during the last days have been demonstrating against the war it is important to continue with different supports to democratic movements in Russia. In the future it would be a great benefit for Europe and Russia if Russia can be a democratic state integrated within the union. And the people that are demonstrating today may just be the democratic citizens, social activists and leaders of tomorrow. 

Statement against "orbanism"

Recently a statement was published on ALDE:s website regarding the current political situation in Hungary and the regime of Victor Orban. ALDE vice-president Sophie in ‘t Veld (D66, Netherlands) said that: 

“Over the past years, the Hungarian government has been relentlessly undermining the principles of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights.  Recent developments have shown that Mr Orban’s administration has been stepping up the pace in challenging EU fundamental values, to an extent that if Hungary were to apply today to the EU, it might not even qualify”, 

“Europe is a community of values. We have to stand up for those values, when they are under threat. Europe cannot credibly promote fundamental rights abroad, if we do not enforce them within the EU itself. We should also send a powerful signal that authoritarianism and intolerance have no place in Europe. Not in Hungary nor anywhere else”. 

The situation is Hungary is worrying since the more authoritarian and nationalistic tendencies from the side of the regime are striking against the fundamental civil right and democratic culture that a modern stat should have. The situation in Hungary should also worry the EPP since Orbans party is its member. 

“On the European way of Russia. The alternative to Putin’s system”

Russian politician Sergei Mitrokhin from the social-liberal political party Yabloko presented a new publication called “On the European way of Russia. The alternative to Putin’s system” at the 26th Moscow International Book Fair. The publication is to be seen as a contemporary criticism of Putin’s regime. 

For more information follow this link. 

Ukraine's struggle is European!

Ukraine's struggle is European!

Ukraine is a place where the Russian nation was born is a very popular phrase among nationalists in Russia. Russian aggression against Ukraine is a direct result of growing nationalism in Russia where respect for Ukraine as a sovereign country with ambitions to join the European Union is totally neglected among leading Russian politicians. Ukraine is often seen as a part of the Russian world or Russian civilization while political, religious and social propaganda in Russia is based on perception that Ukraine is a cradle of the Russian nation and that Ukrainians and Russians are the same people.

Myths and lies about Ukraine but also about Europe are among the reasons why Putin again has enormous popularity. According to social surveys the majority of population in Russia does not only think that annexation of Crimea was a historic right but also that the crises in Ukraine was started by EU and USA. Also the critics of Putins regime, including the social-liberal political party Jablako, are by state or pro-state media being called for traitors, foreign agents and internal enemies. Today's Russia is becoming a more authoritarian, nationalistic and undemocratic society while relations with EU and several other neighbouring countries are considered to be worse the before with attribute of the Cold War rhetoric. The aggression against Ukraine and usage of propaganda based on myths, conspiracy theories and cynical thoughts are clear examples of that Russia is ready to use violence in order to prevent Ukraine from joining EU in the future.

Russian nationalism is directed towards the EU

Ukrainians are being called for fascists at the same time as Kreml and Putins party United Russia are cooperating with political parties in Europe that usually are categorized as populist, nationalist, neo-fascist, racists, xenophobic etc. Several of these of parties are represented in the European Parliament with ambition to dissolve Europe’s political union. That is why EU should never accept annexation of Crimea since otherwise Europe is risking to repeat its tragic history of fighting for territories. Contemporary Russian nationalism is not only about creating a nation after the fall of the Soviet Union. It is also about shaping the political map of Europe. Many Russian nationalists are against the existence of EU and the whole European idea that territories should not be changed by using military force for the sake of peace in Europe. It means that ambitions and political rhetoric of Russian nationalists are directed towards our political union with European integration, cooperation and citizenship.

Myth about loss of traditional values in Europe - Why Russia is not a traditional society 

Individuals from the Russian political elite including Putin are often describing Europe with words such as perverted, decadent, homosexual and backward. There is an opinion among Russian nationalists that European nations have lost their traditional values because of EU,liberalism,  LGBT persons, immigrants, multicultural societies etc. The absurd things are 1) Russia is a multinational and multicultural state, 2) Russia is in social science research presented as one of the most nontraditional in Europe since more than 70 years of communist rule resulted in that many traditions existing in Tsarist Russia such as political parties, popular movements and Russian Orthodox Church were systematically destroyed or marginalized during the time of the Soviet Union. Today’s Russian state wants to present itself as traditional but it still a society actually based   on legacy and traditions from the communist era. It means also that EU states such as Sweden, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands and France have much more traditional societies than Russian Federation since they were through history formed by ideas that were passed from generation to generation in political parties, popular movements, branch organizations, churches and other kinds of society movements.

The future of Ukraine and what Europe can learn from its past

A scenario where Russia would give Crimea back to Ukraine during the following years seems unrealistic at the moment but Putin’s time is not going to last for ever. Political changes in the Russian society are going to take pace sooner or later where EU needs to play a vital role in supporting the democratic movements. The promise which was given Ukraine must result in the future in that way where Ukraine would finally become a European member state. Pro-European stand among the pubic in Ukraine shows that our Union is attractive for non-EU states and that efforts of Maidan movement should not be forgotten. Being a part of the Union does not only mean having economic benefits but also safety regarding the solidarity proclamation. If Ukraine was already today a part of EU or NATO the Russian soldiers would never walk on the streets of Crimean cities or in South-eastern parts of the country.  In the future EU needs to work for a process where Ukraine would be given back the territory of Crimea since borders in Europe are not to be changed with military violence.

As a child I grew up in Bosnia wishing that Western Balkans could copy the Nordic Model or Franco-German relations after WWII as a model for relations between states. The Russian annexation of Crimea, especially the usage of state propaganda, reminds of the wars in former Yugoslavia where nationalistic rhetoric about territorial gains was used. It was mostly the Serbian nationalists who were promising that greater territories would lead to greater resources, prosperity and richness. Many people were killed, wounded, raped and forced to leave their homes during 1991-1995 because of the ambition to establish greater countries. But at the same time many people today on western Balkans also feel disillusioned that fighting for territories did not resulted in having a wealthier society and are wishing to join the EU where one reason is to have peaceful relations in the region where old conflicts and dreams of bigger territories are to be thrown away on the dustbin of history. It is important to remember that Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary but also Slovenia and Croatia needed to stop with all territorial disputes before joining the Union. Almost all borders in Europe are after all results of blood, sweat and tears. That why our Union is a guarantee for peace on the continent, a continent with lot of tragic histories because of wars and conflicts for territories with hate and suffering as its main consequences. Otherwise we could see scenario in Ukraine that could remind of how Serbia and Croatia were supporting establishment of pseudo states based on war crimes in Croatia and Bosnia during the wars in former Yugoslavia. 

Also Russia’s annexation of Crimea and military intervention in Ukraine is counterproductive since there are several parts of Russian Federation where separatism is strong. If Crimea and “Peoples Republics” can break away then why should not we also do the same? By its actions Russia could risk its own territories being separated from the federation if separatist tensions become stronger in the future. The tendencies are already being seen regarding the conflict when it comes to history writing in Russia. The latest history books for schools that are influenced by Kreml's  interpretation, or better said nationalistic interpretation of the Russian history, were not accepted in federal republic of Tatarstan. Also in parts of Siberia such as in Vladivostok area there is a dissatisfaction about the relations between the regions and the Kreml. Russia is a heavy centralized state or a federation without federalism. At the same time Russia is demanding from Ukriane to become a more federal state. 

There is need for a future European foreign policy strategy for relations with the Russian Federation

In order to stand for what many would call European values such as democracy, rule of law, welfare, human rights and free trade the EU needs to send a strong message that borders in Europe cannot be changed through violence and to really stand against the values of Russian nationalism. Putin, Le Pen and many other nationalists in Europe are all speaking of that they only want to take care of their own nations and that our union should be dismantled in order to protect national identities. However the reality is presenting another picture where Russia actions reminds of Milosevic’s Serbia, where Le Pen is wishing Belgium to split up so that Wallonia can be part of France and where politicians form Jobbik party in  Hungry are dreaming about Great Hungary with territories that today are parts of neighboring member states. These nationalists are also talking about creating new organic societies that would be based on traditional Christian values, a rhetoric that should remind everybody about Franco's Spain, Nazi Germany or Mussolini's Italy. It also shows that nationalists are after all against democratic societies with political pluralism, individuals being free to form their identities, free movement, respect for and tolerance between different groups within the society such as religious, ethnic and sexual minorities.   

In order to counter Putin's Russia the Unions member states most work both at home and for a more  common and unified foreign policy towards Russia. In many member states there are political parties and parts of the public that either are supporting Russia’s actions against Ukraine or are not caring about the current situation. Our Union is still affected both by the economic crises and also by the political or values crises where many citizens feel that EU is unreliable or are against further integration. For that reason it is important to stand for European values in the time when there could be a new war in Europe.

When it comes to foreign policy it has been very positive that member states could achieve a strong unity in order to impose sanctions against Russia and to provide help for Ukraine. However there is need for a common European strategy and common way of thinking that is not determined by national interests. Today there are member states who view Russia as an economic partner or as a security threat. Not even Germany which is usually described as leader of Europe has an authentic strategy for relations with Russia. It is usually described that member states have different histories of relations with Russia. But history is not a condition, it is a human made process which also resulted in establishment of the Eastern Partnership and common way of thinking among European politicians. 

Russia cannot be isolated by sanctions and in the future it would be only positive for EU if Russia could develop into a democratic state and could be more integrated in frame of European cooperation. Sanctions that are imposed today are only a measure that is needed to be taken in order to stand for solidarity with Ukraine and to stand for respect for international law that Russia is violating.In relations with Russia EU cannot do everything but doing nothing would also have been damaging for the future. The things that could be done in the future for improving the relations between Russia and EU and countering the current developments could be following:

1.     Enhance the cooperation between democratic parties and Russia and their sister parties in EU. The future of a more democratic Russia lies in generations of politicians that are opposing the current regime.

2.     Introduce free visas regimes for Russian citizens that are not directly connected with the Russian state apparatus or that are openly against the current regime. People should not be collectively punished and more prejudices between Europeans and Russians could discouraged.

3.      Make it easier for Russian citizens that with higher education and LGBT-persons to obtain citizenship in the EU.  Our Union need both skilled labor and to stand up for Human Rights.