The West or Russia?

By Roman Tashleetsky

Political views of many Ukrainians in Western and Eastern Ukraine may be diametrically opposed on the matter of whether the country should align itself with Russia or Europe.  But when it comes to everyday life, pretty well all Ukrainians subconsciously want to conceive of themselves in Europe.

According to the recently signed Universal between the forces that generally back President Victor Yushchenko and those behind Prime Minister Victor Yanukovych, Ukraine will neither back down from its previous course of moving closer towards European nor dismiss the idea of joining NATO.  But the latter point came with a qualification–that joining NATO would be subject to a national referendum.

Many people in Ukraine distrust NATO for several reasons. Although Ukraine is now independent, a portion of the population still perceives reality through the Soviet prism. They believe NATO is a bloc that is hostile to Ukraine. Many also believe that if there are NATO bases in Ukraine, they might occupy the country or initiate conflicts with Russia. They also fear that ties with NATO could lead to Ukraine being ordered to participate in wards by the United States.

In addition, certain pro-Russian political forces instigate unrest around the issue in pliable parts of the country. For example, this summer the regular joint NATO-Ukraine trainings in Feodosiya (in the Crimea) were cancelled because of the protests of demonstrators rallying behind Russian flags. The protestors who were persuaded that NATO would somehow interfere with their Russian identity were likely unaware that Russia itself has deeper ties and cooperates more with NATO than Ukraine does.

One more significant apprehension regarding NATO integration is its feared impact on our military industry.  Many people are concerned that it would lead to job losses in Ukraine and that we would have to buy weapons and defence technologies abroad.

These perceptions are commonly held in Eastern and Southern Ukraine.  In Western Ukraine, on the contrary, people are generally for NATO and against the Russian navy base in Sevastopol. Nevertheless, according to polls, if a referendum took place in the near future, the majority of Ukrainians would not vote in favour of joining NATO.

The government has been trying to conduct a campaign to educate Ukrainians on how the country would benefit from joining the NATO bloc. For example, Ukrainians have been told that our army would be reformed; it would be smaller, but more efficient because it would consist of professionals who would receive a good salary. Now, the army is large, but officers are frustrated by low salaries and their armaments, which consist of remnants from Soviet times. One of the most important benefits of joining NATO is a greater guarantee of Ukraine’s security from possible Russian intervention. Many high-level Russian politicians currently state that Crimea is a Russian territory. If Ukraine is a member of NATO, there is little chance that an infringement on Crimea would take place.

However, the pro-NATO information campaign is reaching primarily only the younger generations, since those who were taught under the Soviets that NATO is a foe are slow to adopt new concepts. That is why the requirement spelled out in the Universal to hold a referendum on NATO is a point scored for Yanukovych. Whereas before the government was free to proceed towards NATO integration, now it will have to wait until the viewpoint of the majority matures towards an acceptance of a pro-NATO position. 

The situation regarding Ukrainians’ attitudes towards European integration is not altogether negative. Due to the high unemployment rate in Ukraine, many have left the country to try to find work in Europe. Working in countries like Italy, Portugal or Germany, Ukrainians learn about the European Union first-hand. Those who return home are surely in favour of European integration. In addition, thousands of Ukrainian students, including those from Eastern Ukraine, participate in exchange programs like Au-Pair, which allows students to work for European families as baby-sitters while studying at the same time. Young people establish contacts, make friends in Europe and learn European languages. There is no reason for them to object to Ukraine’s entrance to the European Union.

But again, the older generation that has experienced close ties with the former USSR, and above all with Russia, is afraid that European integration will chill relations with these countries and that they will need a visa to visit relatives in Russia.

Nevertheless, on the domestic level, the entire country–East and West– appears to already appreciate some European values. Funny as it may seem, Ukrainians tend to add the prefix “Euro” to everything of good quality or stylish. For example, modern plastic windows are called “Eurovikna” (Eurowindows) and home renovations featuring walls and ceilings painted a plain colour (usually white) rather than wall paper are referred to as “Euroremont.”  Even in Donetsk or Simferopol people speak about “European” quality and service, not “Russian.”

Thus, one can assume that subconsciously even pro-Russian Ukrainians are beginning to think in European categories. It is just a matter of time before they will perceive themselves as a part of Europe consciously.

Roman Tashleetsky is currently a university lecturer  in English in Rivne, Ukraine.