“Instrument of pressure on power”: nationalists marched in the capital of Ukraine

Ukrainian nationalists and representatives of a number of social and political movements of the country held several events in the center of Kiev.

So, on October 14, the Defender of Ukraine Day is celebrated in the country, postponed from February 23 by order of ex-president Petro Poroshenko, as well as the anniversary of the formation of the Ukrainian rebel army *.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, about 6 thousand people participated in the actions. The media give other figures and estimate the number of participants in the march at 10-12 thousand people.

During the rally, police in Kiev reported that mass events in the Ukrainian capital took place without violations.

“The organizers of the event informed in advance about the route, so law enforcement officers accompanied them, ensuring the passage of the convoy. There are no violations of the order, ”the statement reads on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

One of the central events of Monday in Kiev was a procession under the slogan “No surrender”, dedicated to the consent of the Ukrainian authorities to act in accordance with the Steinmeier formula. This event began at 16:00 local time.

Recall that the definition of "Steinmeier formula" is used to designate the mechanism of local elections in the Donbass and to provide the region with special status. The author of this concept was the German side, in particular Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who previously served as head of the German Foreign Ministry, and later became President of Germany.

The scheme implies the enactment of a law on a special procedure for local self-government in certain areas of Donetsk and Lugansk regions. The implementation of the mechanism means that Donbass will receive special status on an interim basis on the day of the election. On an ongoing basis, this regime will operate after the publication of the OSCE report, which will confirm the legitimacy of the elections.

According to Interfax-Ukraine, the organizers of the No Capitulation procession were the National Corps and Right Sector parties **. The campaign was also attended by a number of organizations that identify themselves as veteran.

Participants in the march demanded to ban the assignment of special status to Donbass and prevent them from holding elections in the region, to refuse to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the demarcation line, and also to prohibit amnesty for representatives of the self-proclaimed republics. In addition, the protesters demanded that the Ukrainian authorities leave the Minsk format of negotiations.

• March of Nationalists in Kiev

According to the UNIAN agency, the participants carried placards with slogans such as “Glory to the nation - no surrender,” “No special status for the ORLDO,” “Minsk is treason to Ukraine,” “We need a victory,” and other appeals. During the procession, the participants also burned fires.

Protesters marched along the central streets of Kiev to the Independence Square, where a stage was set. As a result of an impromptu veche, the protesters went to the office of the President of Ukraine.

In addition, a nationalist march was held in Kiev to mark the 77th anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The event began at 13:00 local time. Those gathered under the slogan “Defend the Ukrainian land” passed from the monument to Taras Shevchenko to the office of the president. The participants in this event opposed the implementation of the Steinmeier formula and against the trade in Ukrainian agricultural land.

Recall that the current Ukrainian leadership intends to lift the moratorium on the sale of land in the country. These plans are faced with resistance from the residents of Ukraine, who held several protests. In turn, Kiev argues that the Cabinet provides for restrictions that will not allow foreigners to buy Ukrainian land.

On the day of nationalist appearances in Kiev, the President of Ukraine visited the Donetsk region. This was reported in the press service of the Ukrainian leader.

“Zelensky, as part of a working trip to the Donetsk region, got acquainted with the situation on the contact line in the area of ​​the operation of the combined forces, as well as with the conditions of service and residence of the Ukrainian military at the front line,” the report said.

The Ukrainian leader also presented state awards to the military and awarded honorary titles to brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Commenting on the new speech of the nationalists, the political scientist and economist Alexander Dudchak expressed the opinion that various forces in Ukraine use such activists. According to him, in particular, "those who are financed by Poroshenko and those who are financed by Avakov" took to the streets.

“Of course, they advocate the continuation of the war in the Donbass, because this is one of the instruments of pressure on the authorities in Kiev. There could have been more people, there were no special surprises, the slogans were expected - we are waiting for Zelensky’s reaction, ”the expert concluded in an interview with RT.

In turn, the head of the Ukrainian analytical center, economist Alexander Okhrimenko, gives a key role to the activity of nationalists Poroshenko. According to the expert, the ex-leader who has lost the last election is looking for an opportunity to return to politics.

“It turns out weakly. Especially since he personally was not, he understood that the march would be rather languid. Shouting, waving flags is not a problem, moreover, it raises Poroshenko’s rating to a certain extent, ”the expert noted.

* “Ukrainian Insurgent Army” (UPA) - a Ukrainian organization recognized as extremist and banned in Russia (decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of 11/17/2014).

** “Right Sector” - the Ukrainian association of radical nationalist organizations, recognized as extremist and banned in Russia (decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of 11/17/2014).