Dmitri Kovalevich from Ukraine in Conversation with The International

The International Magazine interviewed Dmitri Kovalevich, a Ukrainian journalist and activist of the banned communist organization Borotba.

The organization was banned in 2014 for active protests against pro-US coup and against legalization of neo-Nazism. It was banned along with the Communist Party of Ukraine. It acts illegally in Ukraine and legally in the Donbass republics (Donetsk and Lugansk). His organization supported Donbass rebels in the civil conflict which has continued since the coup in 2014.

The International: How would you explain the events unfurling in Ukraine right now?

Dmitri Kovalevich: The current events are a continuation of the Donbass conflict which has been going on since 2014. For years Kiev media and West MSM used to tell that Ukraine was confronting the Russian invasion—and now that happened in reality—as soon as Russia recognized the republics. The official stated aim of the operation: “denazification of Ukraine.” Donbass republics seceded in 2014 exactly because they were outraged by legalization of WW2 Nazi collaborators of Ukrainian origin.

The International: Was the situation inevitable? Could it have been resolved through a series of negotiations?

Dmitri Kovalevich: The negotiations have been going on since 2014. Ukraine twice signed the Minsk Agreement but refused to fulfill them fearing that armed neo-Nazis would overthrow the government like in 2014. The Minsk Agreement implied the reintegration of the Donbass republics back in Ukraine but providing the special autonomy status with right to have their own cultural and language policy. This was unacceptable for our radical nationalists who would like to see unified and monoethnic pro-Nazi Ukraine. So, it is either communists are banned here, or Nazis. There is no third option.

The International: How are the Ukrainians dealing with this?

Dmitri Kovalevich: There are some 5-6% of Ukrainians sharing pro-nationalist or pro-Nazi ideology. There are some 5-6% of commited communists or sympathizers. The rest support those who are winning at the moment. Last years millions of Ukrainians migrated: some 3.5 million to Russia and they would like to come back in case of change of the government. Some 3.5 million are migrants in Western countries, they tend to share Western media narratives.

The International: What ramifications will this have for the Donbass Republics?

Dmitri Kovalevich: I suppose they will be sort of independent countries like Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transnistria. Since Ukraine refused [to abide by] the Minsk Agreements, they will not come back, given also much blood spilt in eight years which divide Kiev and Donetsk.

The International: So far everyone has been playing the blame game and rooting for either of the sides. Is there something that the media has hidden from the public?

Dmitri Kovalevich: The main thing hidden from the public is that there are lots of outright Nazis integrated into Ukraine’s army, police and National Guard. The Ukrainian education system brainwashes children, glorifying WW2 Nazis and blaming Soviets. Western media preferred to ignore the daily shelling of Donbass cities and the resistance of Donetsk coal-miners, but are outraged only when pro-US side is being bombed.

The International: If the NATO pushes back, is there a possibility of a full-scale war?

Dmitri Kovalevich: I can’t predict that. But definitely, it’s a new war between pro-NATO and anti-NATO sides. There are deep changes on the geopolitical level and the First World countries face economic crisis. The only thing they see in a conflict is profiting on arms trade and sales. They are also for showing the Third World countries that US/UK are still strong to impose their imperialist agenda, especially after the failure in Afghanistan. A possible loss of any pro-NATO force or country may enforce further economic conflict within the First World countries, providing more opportunities to the Third world countries to improve their economic situation.

Featured image: The neo-Nazi paramilitary group Azov Batallion is integrated into the Ukrainian army. File photo.

(The International)