A New Era in Ukraine Under Zelensky?
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Ukraine is a US-created, Nazi-infested monster, a fascist dictatorship in Europe’s heartland — masquerading as democratic.
Zelensky’s triumph over US-installed Petro Poroshenko elevated him to become head of the snake — a new face as president changing nothing.
He’s captive to US dark forces and Ukraine’s Nazi-infested parliament running things. Diverging from dirty business as usual might lead to an Orange Revolution 3.0, replacing him with someone more subservient to US interests.
Ukraine shares a near-1,500 mile land and sea border with the Russian Federation, the longest Western-controlled frontier with the country.
It’s a US-controlled dagger targeting Russia’s heartland, a virtual hotbed of militarized extremism, waging war on its own people, committing appalling human rights abuses, wrecking the economy for self-enrichment.
Stop NATO’s Rick Rozoff earlier explained that Ukraine is “the decisive linchpin in plans by the US and its NATO allies to effect a military cordon sanitaire, severing Russia from Europe” – part of a sinister plot, risking East/West confrontation.
Vladimir Putin earlier said “(t)he appearance on our borders of a powerful military bloc…will be considered by Russia as a direct threat to our country’s security,” adding:
Russian missiles will target Ukraine if it joins NATO or allows Washington’s missile defense shield to be installed in the country — solely for offense if happens.
Last week, Putin signed a decree, letting Donetsk and Lugansk Donbass residents request Russian citizenship via an expedited procedure — to respect and protect their human rights as affirmed under international law, he said.
His action was based on Article 14 of the “On Nationality of the Russian Federation” federal law — affording citizenship to designated people via a simplified/expedited process, saying:
“We have no desire to create problems for the new Ukrainian leadership, but to tolerate a situation in which people living in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk republic are generally deprived of any civil rights. This is already crossing the line from the point of view of human rights.”
Zelensky slammed the move, falsely accusing Russia of waging war in Ukraine, a bald-faced Big Lie, showing bilateral relations won’t likely change on his watch. More on this below.
As for possibly meeting with Zelensky, Putin said “(i)f we meet someday, begin some talks — and I’m not ruling this out — then we must talk about how to end the conflict in southeastern Ukraine in the first place.”
US-orchestrated Kiev aggression on Donbass since April 2014 continues intermittently. The Poroshenko regime in cahoots with Washington and NATO refused to observe agreed on Minsk ceasefire terms, Moscow playing the lead role in drafting them.
During a weekend press conference, Putin said “(w)e are thinking about providing the right to obtain Russian passports under a simplified procedure to all Ukrainian nationals,” adding:
The decision to let Donbass residents apply for Russian citizenship “was not spontaneous. It was not made at the spur of the moment.”
“Before the decree was signed, we had made all the calculations concerning the number of people that may apply for citizenship, including the number of retired persons. They account for about 30% of the possible applicants.”
In response, Poroshenko called for further illegal US and EU sanctions on Russia. A Zelensky spokesman lied, calling Putin’s move “another evident confirmation for the world community of Russia’s true role as an aggressor state (sic), which is waging a war against Ukraine (sic).”
After Putin offered to let Donbass residents apply for Russian citizenship, the State Department reacted sharply.
Turning truth on its head, its spokeswoman called the move “highly provocative.” A joint statement by the German and French foreign ministries lied, saying the offer “contradicts the spirit and goals” of Minsk terms (sic).
Ukraine is a hotbed of fascist extremism. An April 9 State Department travel advisory cautioned against visiting the country, saying:
“Crime targeting foreigners and property is common. Demonstrations, which have turned violent at times, regularly occur throughout Ukraine, including in Kiev.”
“Politically targeted assassinations and bombings have also occurred. There are reports of violence by extreme nationalist groups.”
Following Zelensky’s electoral triumph, Moscow said it’s premature for Putin to congratulate him, nor are their plans for both leaders to meet.
Zelensky vowed to continue pro-Western policies. Separately, he said “I would like to note…that I am ready for negotiations (sic),” adding:
“I hope that at the next meeting in the Normandy format Russia will demonstrate readiness for de-escalation (sic)…Our side is ready to discuss new conditions for coexistence of Ukraine and Russia (sic).”
While campaigning, he said if elected, he had no plans to sign a decree, granting amnesty to Donbass residents.
Nor does he intend to provide special status for Donetsk and Lugansk as stipulated under Minsk terms — agreed to by the Poroshenko regime, followed by flagrantly breaching its provisions to continue war on the breakaway republics.
Putin asked “(h)ow will it be possible to resolve the (conflict) without implementing the Minsk Agreements?”
“Everyone is tired of (endless war). Everyone expects the new authorities, including (Zelensky), to achieve these goals.”
“But (he) announce(d) from the very start that he doesn’t plan to implement the Minsk Agreements. If so, how does he plan to resolve this issue?”
From his remarks so far, pre-and-post-election, it appears he intends to continue dirty business as usual against Ukrainians and Russia — in deference to Washington and EU countries.
A new era in Ukraine must await a popular revolution for change not delivered by the ballot box — what rarely ever works, never in the West!
A Final Comment
Last December, Sergey Lavrov said Russia “won’t fight Ukraine” despite “neo-Nazis” infesting Kiev, adding:
Russia’s “self-respect comes specifically from not descending to the level of these neo-Nazis.”
Commenting on Mike Pompeo, he noted not having spoken to him in some time, saying Trump regime dealings with Russia “ha(ve) obviously been delegated to John Bolton.”
Lavrov slammed UK war minister Gavin Williamson, saying “(h)e is a man whose self-regard is layered upon an inferiority complex.”
“I’ve been in his presence. It is a pity that such (a person was) chosen to represent Britain in the international arena…”
At the same time, he said “we would like to maintain what we understand as good manners” no matter how disrespectful other nations are toward Russia.
To a fault, Moscow considers Washington its “partner,” US officials “colleagues.”
Longstanding US policy calls for replacing all sovereign independent governments with puppet rule it controls.
Diplomacy with Republicans and undemocratic Dems is a waste of time — toughness the only language they understand.
When will Russia step up to the plate and give them a taste of their own medicine, what’s long overdue — short of starting WW III?
VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home – Stephen Lendman). Contact at [email protected].
My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
