How to resolve the Ukrainian crisis
- By Zhao Jinglun
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 6, 2014
For starters, let's ascertain some indisputable facts:
1. There were many who sincerely wanted change at the Maidan Square protests. Yet neo-Nazi extremists were instrumental in accomplishing the regime change.
2. The ousting of the democratically elected president was unconstitutional.
3. The interim government is non-elected and not "revolutionary." Neo-fascist Svoboda holds important positions; the neo-Nazi "Right Sector" controls the police and law enforcement bodies. The interim government does not enjoy the full enthusiasm or support from the public. Mass rallies in eastern Ukrainian cities reject its legitimacy.
4. There were scattered instances of violence against Jews, ethnic Russians and the Orthodox Church.
5. The conflict is a proxy fight between major powers on opposite sides of the globe, backed by Russia on the one hand and the United States and EU on the other.
(See my previous columns on Ukraine. Main stream Western media won’t tell you these facts.)
As a result, in order to resolve the crisis, the United States and EU need to negotiate with Russia and reach a much-needed compromise. Vitaly Churkin, Russia's permanent representative to the UN, suggested a return to the deal brokered by Germany, France and Poland which was signed on February 21. That deal envisages constitutional changes to reduce the power of the president, ensure the formation of a national unity government and organize an early presidential election this year.
