Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reminded the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Dmitry Kuleba that one “Russian region” was already part of Ukraine, but she “did not like it.” Earlier, Kuleba said that Kiev is ready to "accept a couple of regions of Russia."
“One Russian region was already part of Ukraine, and she did not like it there,” she said in a comment to the NSN.
Recall that in 2014, a referendum was held in the territory of Crimea, during which over 96% voted for reunification with Russia. Following the plebiscite, the peninsula was admitted to the Russian Federation. However, Ukraine does not recognize this referendum and considers the reunion “occupation”
Earlier, Kuleba said that Ukraine is ready to "accept a couple of regions of Russia."
“Volodin is threatening the withdrawal of regions from Ukraine. Forced to upset him: no one will go anywhere. But they are ready to accept a couple of regions of Russia. To restore historical justice, democratic governance, implementation of European standards of life, ”he wrote on Twitter.
So he answered the warning of the State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin that the policy of oppression by Kiev of small nations could lead to the secession of some regions from the country.
“Nationalism, oppression of small nations can lead to the withdrawal of a number of areas from Ukraine. This should be understood by the Ukrainian authorities and not allow the violation of the rights and freedoms of ethnic groups living in the country, ”said the chairman of the lower house of the Russian parliament.
As an example, Volodin cited the law on the Ukrainian language, which, according to the Council of Europe, infringes on the rights of national minorities.
“After reunification with Russia in the Crimea, three state languages were fixed - Russian, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar. Representatives of various peoples and nationalities are elected to the State Duma. We cherish this. This is our strength - respect for all the peoples of our country, ”Volodin emphasized.
Thus, the speaker commented on the scandal at the UN forum in Geneva on minority issues. In late November, State Duma deputy Ruslan Balbek took part in his work. According to him, during his speech, the Ukrainian delegation tried to disrupt his speech - they screamed, banged their feet and punched the table.
Kuleba’s words are an example of the fact that in Ukraine officials do not think about what statements they make, said a member of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, Crimean Senator Sergei Tsekov.
“In Ukraine, they don’t really think about what statements and for what reason they are making. These words also have no special argument. Officials in Ukraine do not think what they are saying, ”he stated in an interview with RT.
- A rally of Ukrainian nationalists
- Reuters
- © Valentyn Ogirenko
Minority Policy
It is worth noting that questions to the policy of Ukraine in relation to national minorities arose also from the UN. In July, Rosemary DiCarlo, deputy secretary general of the organization for political affairs, noted that the law on the state language was a matter of concern.
“Although many contentious issues were resolved in the final version, the law remains a concern,” she said.
And in September, the head of the UN monitoring mission on human rights in Ukraine Matilda Bogner called on Kiev to adopt a law on the rights of national minorities and indigenous peoples in order to ensure "a fair balance between the protection of minority rights and freedom of expression."
“We urge the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to develop, as a matter of priority, ensuring inclusiveness and based on consultations, a law on the rights of national minorities and indigenous peoples,” she said.
The policy of Kiev is condemning not only Russia, but also other neighboring countries. Thus, Hungary has repeatedly protested in connection with the oppression of ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia. In late October, the head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Peter Siyyarto, said that Budapest vetoed the joint declaration of the ambassadors of NATO member countries for Ukraine.
He stressed that the Hungarian authorities "are not ready to sacrifice the interests of 150 thousand ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine for the sake of geopolitical interests."
Representatives of another national minority in the west of Ukraine, Rusyns, also complain about oppression by Kiev.
- Transcarpathian Rusyns
- AFP
- © SERGEI SUPINSKY
According to Tatyana Pop, the head of the Austrian Coordination Center for Ruthenian Organizations, they don’t seek autonomy, they just want to “end the Rusyns and recognize them as a national minority in Ukraine”, and also want to be able to teach Ruthenian language and culture in schools. She stated this in an interview with Ukraina.ru.
Statements like that made by Kuleba contribute to a split in society, Ukrainian political scientist and economist Alexander Dudchak emphasized in an interview with RT.
“This is just stupidity, which is issued by a person who occupies a serious position in the state. It simply demonstrates a lack of competency, ”the expert is convinced. - Donbass partially rebelled precisely because of this. All this is used to split society, but for some it is beneficial. ”