Tag: russia

Prime minister Viktor Orbán and Fidesz-CDPP party led by him continue exaggerating a narrative of protection of the Hungarian ethnic minorities abroad.
The Hungarian diaspora, and particularly 150-thousand one in Ukraine, is considered by present Hungarian authorities not only as the lever of Budapest’s influence on the neighboring states, but also as a domestic policy factor. Playing this card to a great measure enabled Viktor Orbán to get win this April on the parliamentary elections in Hungary. Today, as far as the government cannot boast of economic achievements and increasing of social standards of living, in times of blanket attacks on peoples’ democratic rights and freedoms, which may entail sanctions from the EU, exploitation of the populist idea of the protection of rights of fellow nationals abroad is aimed at people’s distraction from internal problems by means of developing the image of Hungary’s enemy. Speaking about supposed oppressions of Hungarians abroad, the authorities try to play upon patriotic heart strings of their nationals and urge them to fight for the rights of fellow nationals abroad under their command. That is the manner of the Russian president Vladimir Putin, who became a role model for Orbán.
Aggressive rhetoric and rough pressure upon neighbors became the landmark of present Hungarian authorities. And now it is a turn of Ukraine to fall under virulent abuse after Slovakia and Romania. Recently we have witnessed another aggravation between Hungary and Ukraine regarding the so-called passport issue (previously they were inflicted by the language paragraph of the Law of Ukraine “On Education” and appointment of the “authorized minister” by Hungary, who should be responsible for the development of the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine – i.e. the territory belonging to other state).
Wide-scale hidden pasportization of Hungarians from among Ukrainian citizens was given a long-awaited publicity following YouTube video on delivery of the Hungarian passports to citizens of Ukraine in the Hungarian consulate in Berehovo (Transcarpathian region of Ukraine).
Instead of extinguishing the conflict in response to the justified demands from Ukraine to cease outraged violations of Ukrainian laws (the dual citizenship is forbidden in Ukraine) Budapest decided to heighten tensions. Foreign Minister of Hungary Peter Siyarto accused the Ukrainian party of fostering anti-Hungarian spirits in society, considered video lawful and threatened to slow down European integration of Ukraine (earlier Viktor Orbán’s cabinet has already blocked a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission). Such a response confirms once again Hungary’s abuse of membership in EU and NATO. Moreover, through their nonconstructive behavior Hungarian authorities try to involve the above-mentioned organizations in the conflict with Ukraine.
Inflating the farfetched problem of oppression of Transcarpathian Hungarians by Ukraine, Viktor Orbán and his office pursue distraction of attention of their nationals from miscalculations in policy towards foreign Hungarians.
The actual situation strongly differs from what Budapest wishes to present. Having relied on “soft power”, and actually – on bribery of Transcarpathian Hungarians, the government (which promotes programs of small business funding, education exceptionally in Hungarian, construction of infrastructure and community facilities) reckons on loyalty of local community on future elections and holding ethnic Hungarians of Transcarpathia within the present territory of accommodation.
However, having squandered tens of millions state budget euros for the last years Budapest has not obtained desirable effect. On the contrary, the main result of such PR-policy was critical reduction of Hungarian population in Ukraine, at the same time the rest were marginalized.
After they had received the Hungarian passports, Hungarians of Transcarpathia (by the way, people of active age, who obtained profession and education), moved to Hungary. However, by no means all of them remained in Hungary, a great part moved from European, but nonetheless poor country, to more successful countries of the European Union.
Reduction of a number of ethnic Hungarians (not only in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, but also in other neighboring states) called into question claims of Budapest and intention of Viсtor Orban’s government to fight for strengthening of the Hungarian influence. Thus, there is no recourse for present Hungarian authorities in their attempt to avoid the responsibility for aftermaths of their populist policy towards the Hungarian ethnic minority as an element of domestic policy, but to strengthen the aggressive radical rhetoric promoting reinforcement of xenophobic spirits in the Hungarian society and to resort to frankly unfriendly actions in relation to Ukraine in the EU and NATO.

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On September 17, the Russian Defense Ministry presented a new version of Boeing MH17 accident cause brought down by the pro-Russian fighters in the sky over Donbass in 2014. According to new information of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Malaysian plane was shot down by the Ukrainian rocket.

Comments were prompt. Independent European and American experts flayed ill-starred reporters of the Russian Defense Ministry.

In addition, Eliot Higgins, the founder of Bellingcat, gave his comment on it, having called a new version of Russians “the act of despair”. He expressed opinion that “the new truth” of the Russian Ministry of Defense would hardly influence judges and once again confirmed indisputability of the Russian military involvement to the crash of MH17.

The statement of the Russian Defense Ministry appeared on the threshold of the UNGA meeting where results of Malaysian Boeing crash investigation had to become one of the main topics for discussion. Apparently, Kremlin falls into despair understanding inevitability of Hague Tribunal.

In fact, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has nothing but to present new and new versions about the Ukrainian trace, allegedly forged photos of the Buk missile system, and contradictory origin of the missile launched from it.

Nevertheless, all efforts of the Russian military fantasts are vain. Results of Bellingcat investigations and the official joint investigation team (JIT) clearly indicate that both the Buk and the missile launched from it were of the Russian origin. Prosecutor’s offices of the Netherlands and Australia have prepared the evidentiary base confirming that the missiles elements which struck the Malaysian plane in accuracy coincide with elements of a military unit of the Russian antiaircraft missile 9M38M1 – the Buk-M1-2.

This time the Russian Defense Ministry based its version on “research” of the fragments of a missile found on the scene. At the same time and there was a question left without explanation, why in due time the Joint investigation team did not receive the similar answer on the request, addressed to Russia, for origin of a rocket.

According to Mr. Higgins, nobody perceives in seriousness the versions of Boeing MH17 crash periodically disseminated by Russia. All have already got used that it is impossible to trust any information distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry as in the past it was often caught on lies and providing fabricated “proofs”.

The British expert is categorical that the statements of the Russian Defense Ministry are not only mendacious, but also are not logical. It is obvious that the Russian Defense Ministry is not interested in establishment of the true causes of the accident.

During the briefing, the Russian side said that a missile, which did not leave the territory of Ukraine after 1986, had brought down MH-17. The investigation has incontestable facts confirming that the Buk, which launched a missile at the Boeing MH17, arrived from Russia. So where is logic?

A new lie from Shoygu’s department will cause no more than irritation. Those who seriously take statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense are people who just want to believe that Ukraine is responsible. But the investigation has incontestable proofs that Russia sent the Buk, from which the Boeing MH17 was shot down, to the territory of Ukraine. The lie of Russia that sounds for four years of the investigation will hardly make today desirable effect.

However, this is not the whole story. Trying to cheat all civilized world, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation and its proteges has decided to implement one more adventure. After the press conference the duplicating information explosion was made: allegedly the missile launched from the Buk had been delivered by Ukraine to Georgia, and then during war of 2008, taken by Russia and transported to the Russian territory.

Psychological plan is simple. Russians expected that experts and journalists would grasp at this information and would call into question the fact established by the investigation that the Boeing MH17 was hit by the missile 9МЗ8 М1 launched from the Russian Buk, which arrived into the territory of Ukraine from the Russian Kursk.

It is clear to everyone that Russia is just trying to delay investigation. The minister of security and justice of the Netherlands Stef Blok has the same opinion. But in spite of the fact that the Netherlands investigators have already spent a lot of time to exclude any fake versions of Kremlin, the investigation team is ready to check all “proofs” provided by the Russian Defense Ministry just further to avoid charges of bias.

However, in connection with the “new evidence” provided by Russia about allegedly involvement of the Ukrainian side in air crash we may have more serious conclusion… Perhaps Russia really used the Ukrainian missile for the Buk, taken out from Georgia and consciously shot down the foreign plane to defame Ukraine. There is a hope that thanks to the modern technologies and numerous “traces” (photos and videos with geotags) posted in social networks the investigation will have opportunities to establish the truth and to make guilty responsible persons.

Read More

On September 17, the Russian Defense Ministry presented a new version of Boeing MH17 accident cause brought down by the pro-Russian fighters in the sky over Donbass in 2014. According to new information of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Malaysian plane was shot down by the Ukrainian rocket.

Comments were prompt. Independent European and American experts flayed ill-starred reporters of the Russian Defense Ministry.

In addition, Eliot Higgins, the founder of Bellingcat, gave his comment on it, having called a new version of Russians “the act of despair”. He expressed opinion that “the new truth” of the Russian Ministry of Defense would hardly influence judges and once again confirmed indisputability of the Russian military involvement to the crash of MH17.

The statement of the Russian Defense Ministry appeared on the threshold of the UNGA meeting where results of Malaysian Boeing crash investigation had to become one of the main topics for discussion. Apparently, Kremlin falls into despair understanding inevitability of Hague Tribunal.

In fact, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has nothing but to present new and new versions about the Ukrainian trace, allegedly forged photos of the Buk missile system, and contradictory origin of the missile launched from it.

Nevertheless, all efforts of the Russian military fantasts are vain. Results of Bellingcat investigations and the official joint investigation team (JIT) clearly indicate that both the Buk and the missile launched from it were of the Russian origin. Prosecutor’s offices of the Netherlands and Australia have prepared the evidentiary base confirming that the missiles elements which struck the Malaysian plane in accuracy coincide with elements of a military unit of the Russian antiaircraft missile 9M38M1 – the Buk-M1-2.

This time the Russian Defense Ministry based its version on “research” of the fragments of a missile found on the scene. At the same time and there was a question left without explanation, why in due time the Joint investigation team did not receive the similar answer on the request, addressed to Russia, for origin of a rocket.

According to Mr. Higgins, nobody perceives in seriousness the versions of Boeing MH17 crash periodically disseminated by Russia. All have already got used that it is impossible to trust any information distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry as in the past it was often caught on lies and providing fabricated “proofs”.

The British expert is categorical that the statements of the Russian Defense Ministry are not only mendacious, but also are not logical. It is obvious that the Russian Defense Ministry is not interested in establishment of the true causes of the accident.

During the briefing, the Russian side said that a missile, which did not leave the territory of Ukraine after 1986, had brought down MH-17. The investigation has incontestable facts confirming that the Buk, which launched a missile at the Boeing MH17, arrived from Russia. So where is logic?

A new lie from Shoygu’s department will cause no more than irritation. Those who seriously take statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense are people who just want to believe that Ukraine is responsible. But the investigation has incontestable proofs that Russia sent the Buk, from which the Boeing MH17 was shot down, to the territory of Ukraine. The lie of Russia that sounds for four years of the investigation will hardly make today desirable effect.

However, this is not the whole story. Trying to cheat all civilized world, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation and its proteges has decided to implement one more adventure. After the press conference the duplicating information explosion was made: allegedly the missile launched from the Buk had been delivered by Ukraine to Georgia, and then during war of 2008, taken by Russia and transported to the Russian territory.

Psychological plan is simple. Russians expected that experts and journalists would grasp at this information and would call into question the fact established by the investigation that the Boeing MH17 was hit by the missile 9МЗ8 М1 launched from the Russian Buk, which arrived into the territory of Ukraine from the Russian Kursk.

It is clear to everyone that Russia is just trying to delay investigation. The minister of security and justice of the Netherlands Stef Blok has the same opinion. But in spite of the fact that the Netherlands investigators have already spent a lot of time to exclude any fake versions of Kremlin, the investigation team is ready to check all “proofs” provided by the Russian Defense Ministry just further to avoid charges of bias.

However, in connection with the “new evidence” provided by Russia about allegedly involvement of the Ukrainian side in air crash we may have more serious conclusion… Perhaps Russia really used the Ukrainian missile for the Buk, taken out from Georgia and consciously shot down the foreign plane to defame Ukraine. There is a hope that thanks to the modern technologies and numerous “traces” (photos and videos with geotags) posted in social networks the investigation will have opportunities to establish the truth and to make guilty responsible persons.

Read More

On September 17, the Russian Defense Ministry presented a new version of Boeing MH17 accident cause brought down by the pro-Russian fighters in the sky over Donbass in 2014. According to new information of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Malaysian plane was shot down by the Ukrainian rocket.

Comments were prompt. Independent European and American experts flayed ill-starred reporters of the Russian Defense Ministry.

In addition, Eliot Higgins, the founder of Bellingcat, gave his comment on it, having called a new version of Russians “the act of despair”. He expressed opinion that “the new truth” of the Russian Ministry of Defense would hardly influence judges and once again confirmed indisputability of the Russian military involvement to the crash of MH17.

The statement of the Russian Defense Ministry appeared on the threshold of the UNGA meeting where results of Malaysian Boeing crash investigation had to become one of the main topics for discussion. Apparently, Kremlin falls into despair understanding inevitability of Hague Tribunal.

In fact, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has nothing but to present new and new versions about the Ukrainian trace, allegedly forged photos of the Buk missile system, and contradictory origin of the missile launched from it.

Nevertheless, all efforts of the Russian military fantasts are vain. Results of Bellingcat investigations and the official joint investigation team (JIT) clearly indicate that both the Buk and the missile launched from it were of the Russian origin. Prosecutor’s offices of the Netherlands and Australia have prepared the evidentiary base confirming that the missiles elements which struck the Malaysian plane in accuracy coincide with elements of a military unit of the Russian antiaircraft missile 9M38M1 – the Buk-M1-2.

This time the Russian Defense Ministry based its version on “research” of the fragments of a missile found on the scene. At the same time and there was a question left without explanation, why in due time the Joint investigation team did not receive the similar answer on the request, addressed to Russia, for origin of a rocket.

According to Mr. Higgins, nobody perceives in seriousness the versions of Boeing MH17 crash periodically disseminated by Russia. All have already got used that it is impossible to trust any information distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry as in the past it was often caught on lies and providing fabricated “proofs”.

The British expert is categorical that the statements of the Russian Defense Ministry are not only mendacious, but also are not logical. It is obvious that the Russian Defense Ministry is not interested in establishment of the true causes of the accident.

During the briefing, the Russian side said that a missile, which did not leave the territory of Ukraine after 1986, had brought down MH-17. The investigation has incontestable facts confirming that the Buk, which launched a missile at the Boeing MH17, arrived from Russia. So where is logic?

A new lie from Shoygu’s department will cause no more than irritation. Those who seriously take statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense are people who just want to believe that Ukraine is responsible. But the investigation has incontestable proofs that Russia sent the Buk, from which the Boeing MH17 was shot down, to the territory of Ukraine. The lie of Russia that sounds for four years of the investigation will hardly make today desirable effect.

However, this is not the whole story. Trying to cheat all civilized world, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation and its proteges has decided to implement one more adventure. After the press conference the duplicating information explosion was made: allegedly the missile launched from the Buk had been delivered by Ukraine to Georgia, and then during war of 2008, taken by Russia and transported to the Russian territory.

Psychological plan is simple. Russians expected that experts and journalists would grasp at this information and would call into question the fact established by the investigation that the Boeing MH17 was hit by the missile 9МЗ8 М1 launched from the Russian Buk, which arrived into the territory of Ukraine from the Russian Kursk.

It is clear to everyone that Russia is just trying to delay investigation. The minister of security and justice of the Netherlands Stef Blok has the same opinion. But in spite of the fact that the Netherlands investigators have already spent a lot of time to exclude any fake versions of Kremlin, the investigation team is ready to check all “proofs” provided by the Russian Defense Ministry just further to avoid charges of bias.

However, in connection with the “new evidence” provided by Russia about allegedly involvement of the Ukrainian side in air crash we may have more serious conclusion… Perhaps Russia really used the Ukrainian missile for the Buk, taken out from Georgia and consciously shot down the foreign plane to defame Ukraine. There is a hope that thanks to the modern technologies and numerous “traces” (photos and videos with geotags) posted in social networks the investigation will have opportunities to establish the truth and to make guilty responsible persons.

Read More

A new scandal has broken out between Kiev and Budapest.

It may have decisive consequences for the mutual relations, as it touches upon a very sensitive topic for both sides – the issues of obtaining the citizenship and the passport of Hungary.

The modern Hungarian elites, like the Russian ones with their “Russkiy Mir” project, with the help of ethnic Hungarians and pro-Hungarian non-governmental organizations, are trying to revive their regional influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, promoting the idea of creating Hungarian autonomies in the territory of other states.

The Hungarian government conducts the most active and aggressive work on the formation of a platform for autonomies in Romania and Ukraine. Officials of the Hungarian state, such as the deputy of the European Parliament and the representative of the Romanian Hungarians, Laszlo Tökös, Hungary’s Ambassador to Ukraine Erno Keskeny or the Hungarian parliamentarian Marton Gengeshi, have repeatedly made statements on the necessity of creating autonomous entities of ethnic Hungarians.

Such “autonomy” policy of Hungary in the Székelyföld of Romania, where about one million of ethnic Hungarians live, and in Transcarpathian region of Ukraine regularly causes diplomatic scandals and political blackmail at the interstate level. Using the state resource and Hungarian public organizations the main objective of Hungary in Ukraine is to obtain actual control over the adjacent territories of Transcarpathian region, covering Berehovsky and Vinogradovsky areas, where the majority of ethnic Hungarians live. This policy is carried out in two main directions: the “passport policy” and the program of economic support for ethnic Hungarians at the expense of the state budget and the budget of public organizations. For the moment, the “passport policy” in Ukraine has ensured the support of ethnic Hungarians in the parliamentary elections of Fidesz Party, which activities have recently been accompanied by increasingly Euro-skeptical sentiments, while its leader, current Prime Minister Viktor Orban, maintains the position of implementation by Ukraine of a double citizenship for the Hungarians and believes that the only deterrent for speeding up the policy of obtaining autonomy in Transcarpathian region is the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

It was the ruling Fidesz Party, after winning the parliamentary elections in 2010, which as its first decisions in parliament, passed amendments to the law on citizenship and introduced a simplified procedure for its obtaining by foreign Hungarians. The law came into force on January 1, 2011.

Such ethnic Hungarians may vote in elections in Hungary not only by party lists, but also for majority candidates. Before the current Hungarian elections, HirTV channel, close to the “Jobbik” party, described how such voters were transported by buses from Transcarpathia to vote in Hungary.

Since then, in the countries of the Carpathian basin there has been an active passport issue for ethnic Hungarians. The most active processes are in Romania and Serbia – more than 400 000 and 114 000 of their citizens respectively, received Hungarian passports as of early 2015. As far as Ukraine is concerned, for the years of passport issue, figures were provided from Budapest only once: as of February 2015, almost 94 000 Transcarpathians obtained Hungarian citizenship under a simplified procedure. Then this information was made public by Árpád János Potápi, responsible for the national policy in the Hungarian government, who is still dealing with the same issue in the fourth Orban’s government. How many Hungarian passports Ukrainians received for the following 3.5 years? There is no data. It is only known that, as of August 2015, 124 000 applications for Hungarian citizenship were received from Ukraine.

In Romania and Serbia, dual or multiple citizenship is officially permitted, but in Ukraine or Slovakia, where half a million Hungarians live – no. And if Slovaks forbid their citizens to receive a Hungarian passport and have a clear procedure of “punishment” for those with a second passport, then in Ukraine the legislation is not so clear.

For many years the issue of dual citizenship of the Hungarians of Ukraine has been a taboo in the dialogue between the two countries. Budapest has systematically issued Hungarian passports to Ukrainian citizens of Hungarian origin, and Kiev, knowing this, only occasionally resented with this fact – but did it nominally without action in return.

But this Wednesday in Youtube there was a video that became a “trigger” of changes. The video, taken by a hidden camera or phone, shows a record of how citizens of Ukraine make fealty to Hungary. The ceremony takes place in Beregovo, in the Hungarian consulate. And in addition, the consul advises to new “double citizens” to hide from the Ukrainian authorities the fact of a passport obtaining.

So what are the real motives of Hungary, when it is so issuing documents abroad?

And what is the most important – what is the best way for actions by Kiev for not to be a looser in matters of national security? We may already state that this process has reached a point where it is unacceptable to ignore the problem.

Especially – after the Youtube video recording, it has become public what many guessed, but did not have clear evidence.

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According to art. 55, 56, 59, 60 of the Convention relative to the protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949, maintenance of occupied territories is an obligation of the occupying party. As the Crimea was illegally annexed by Russia in spring 2014, responsibility for an ecological situation is the Russian obligation.

Let’s briefly run back over chronology of events. In the north of the Crimea, in the city of Armyansk there is the biggest plant in Eastern Europe on production of titanic products – Ukrainian Chemical Products better known as “Crimean Titan” owned by the Ukrainian oligarch Dmitry Firtash who is currently taking shelter in Austria from extradition to the USA. Notwithstanding occupation and sanctions, the plant continues its work, receiving raw materials through shell companies and carriers. A process of titan production is followed with a large number of dangerous chemical wastes used to be unloaded in special precipitation tanks nearby the plant. For neutralization of their negative impact on environment, they were filled in with a large amount of fresh water received from the North Crimean channel. After occupation in 2014, the Ukrainian authorities used their legitimate right, blocked the channel, thus depriving the Crimea of water from Dnieper. In consequence the management of the enterprise and officials had to cover requirements of water, using local resources: small reservoirs of rain water and artesian wells. But they were quickly exhausted, and the summer of 2018 was hot, that caused accident.

On the night of August 24 there was an emission of harmful substances about what locals reported. Metal subjects were covered with unclear oxidation, trees started perishing, in air there was an unpleasant chemical smell. The local occupational administration tried to hide this event, having neutralized emission consequences by filling up of settling tank with soda. But the factor of high temperature of air was not considered, and as a result the situation was aggravated. In vicinities of the plant and in the city death cases from suffocation of birds and small animals (rodents, domestic cats) were reported. It was also reported about death of people, but there is no reliable information on it. Nearly two weeks later (on September 4), the Russian officials declared the beginning of partial evacuation of the population, so far only children, from Armyansk and neighboring villages. But the central Russian TV channels keep silence over technogeneous accident. Though the Russian authorities got used to hide such information as it was with emission of a radioactive element ruthenium-106 at the end of 2017 in Chelyabinsk, in the south of the Urals. The fact of the emission is confirmed by measurements carried out in Germany and France.

However, let’s talk about the Crimean case. There is an opinion that accident was deliberately provoked to force Ukraine to resume supply of water to the peninsula. Even the Ukrainian border service stated poisoning of its several employees who are on duty on border with occupied territories. However, the similar version looks very far-fetched. It is much more probable that the human factor is the main cause of the accident: habitual for Russians ” trusting to luck ” and postponement of the solution of small problems as a result lead to such deplorable consequences. And after all this situation is not simply environmental disaster for Ukraine and Russia, but for the whole Black Sea region, even for Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. The cloud of chemicals does not care of geopolitics and nationalities, and the poisoned rainfall depends on the wind. It is worth remembering the tragedy in Chernobyl – accident happened in the USSR, but all Europe suffered. Here the situation is very similar.

Russia once again confirmed its inability to maintain the occupied territories. After all the plant where this tragedy happened is not the only potentially dangerous undertaking in the Crimea. Also it should be taken into account that for the last 4 years Russia has provided the peninsula with the weapon, including nuclear. And the only exit from the current situation – a full and unconditional deoccupation of the Crimea. Only this way is a possible resolution of all those problems.

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The conference “disputed territory on the border of Europe” is going to be held in Bucharest on September 7, 2018. The organizer of this event is the Institute for Connecting Science and Society (ICSS), Geneva, Switzerland. The most interesting thing is that the participants of this event will not discuss those lands that are already hybrid annexed or occupied, for example, Crimea, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transdniestria or LDPR, but are going to determine whether it is expedient to consider Transcarpathia, Bukovina and Bessarabia as Ukrainian territories. In other words, it is an attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine. And all this goes under the patronage of the “Swiss” institute and in the context of the Kremlin’s strategic concept for the near future.

“It is proposed to examine three main cases – three cross-border territories that are disputed “in both international and anthropological aspects: Transcarpathia, Bukovina and Bessarabia”, – the announcement of event said.

In general, at first glance, it may appear that this is about another betrayal from Europe. However, every time something like this happens, it comes to mind the letter of the State Duma of Russia of March 24, 2014, sent to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Poland and Romania, with a proposal to split Ukraine into four parts. This conference is definitely something similar to this provocation.

That is why we’ve decided to consider and analyze, under whose “flag” the conference actually will be held. And do not be surprised, it will take place under the flag of the Kremlin, despite the Swiss organizer.

Fictitious institution

According to the data of the commercial register and economic information “Moneyhouse”, ICSS was established in Swiss Geneva, just over a year ago. Its registered office is ch. de l’Ancien-Puits 11, 1213 Petit-Lancy. Its legal form of ownership is an association. Its aim is to bridge the gap between the production of scientific knowledge and its accessibility, and to strengthen the relationship between science and society.

The question immediately arises: where are the issues related to politics, security, and the belonging of particular territories? This means that the Institute goes beyond its statutory activities. And the form of property unlikely allows it to interfere with the affairs of foreign states.

Further, we learn that the structure itself functions at the expense of projects, donations, subsidies, contributions, as well as any other sources, not prohibited by the law of the Swiss Confederation. Curiously, but the founders of ICSS are two persons: the president, Mercier-Peschoux Chantal, a citizen of France, the city and municipality of Lance, the Ile-de-France region; the vice-president of the Institute – Irina Koval-Leskova, a Ukrainian citizen, a resident of Odessa.

Therefore, be patient, and you’ll see the same hybrid Russian trace after story about each of them.

From Paris with Love … to Putin

We, perhaps, will not go by chronology, in order to make history more interesting. So, on March 21, 2016, under the patronage of Mercier-Peschoux Chantal (he did not participate himself), the conference with a rather catchy title “Ukraine: Maidan – Odessa, two years later” was held in Geneva. As you already understood, the subject of this arrangement is the events of May 2, 2014, occurred in the Ukrainian seaside city, when 46 people were killed. At this conference, the participants blamed and blackened the Ukrainian authorities and shielded the Kremlin and urged international partners to put pressure over the official Kiev.

The conference itself was held at the Palais des Nations (UN building, Geneva). It is significant that the announcement of the event was posted on March 13 on one of the French sites (gray segment of the Internet) – “Arrêt sur info”. This site, created by a Frenchwoman with Italian roots, Silvia Cattori, is engaged in covering wars and various conflicts that the world media “do not talk” about. We suppose that we are talking about giving false and biased information.

The moderator of this event was the representative of the Agency for Human Rights (ADH) – Amir Forotan, and here it is necessary to explain: this agency is one of thousands of non-governmental organizations with which one of the six main organs of the UN, the Economic and Social Council, cooperates.

In 2015, the Agency for Human Rights received a special consultative status, that formally gives an opportunity to hold events in the premises belonging to the UN. Therefore, the conference was held at the Palais des Nations. Such NGOs should annually publish a report on the work done, but for some reason this one does not do this. You also will not find information about the founders of this structure on the site, but on the official website of the Trade of Switzerland. It turns out that the only one founder, participant and head of this organization is the same Amir Forotan. Once he was known as a member of another organization also “defending human rights” – Global Network for Rights and Development (GNDR).

It was registered in Stavanger (Norway), and had units in Jordan, Spain, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland (Geneva). The activities of this structure were accompanied with accusations of grave criminal offenses. In 2015, the Norwegian police detained its head, a Norwegian of Palestinian origin Loai Deeb on charges of money laundering and misappropriation of property. The Israeli media suspected GNDR members in illegal intelligence activity under the cover of human rights work. This structure went bankrupt in 2016.

In addition, Forotan is close to the French political association “Egalite et Reconsilliation” (“Equality and Reconciliation”), supporting the policies of Russia and other rogue states. For example, in 2009, during the arrival of Putin in France, it organized a “welcome committee” to Putin together with the Russian embassy and the French Russian community.

Its current leader, Alain Soral, was a member of the central committee of the party “National Front” (Marin Le Pen) until 2009. He is a supporter of anti-Semitism, against the US, for cooperation with Russia and for the territorial division of France.

But let’s go back to the conference and find out who was involved in this action?

The main speaker was Xavier Moreau, a French entrepreneur, who has been living in Russia for 15 years. He is the author of the book “The New Great Russia and Ukraine. Why did France make a mistake”. It is about Paris’s wrong policy with regard to Putin’s Russia, and that aggression and occupation should be understood and forgiven.

What was Mr.Moreau’s task at the conference? Everything is very simple: he had to tell about the reasons for the “political evolution of Ukraine after the revolution, regime change, murder in Odessa; describe the root causes – international and national, that plunged the country into a fratricidal civil war”.

Certainly, there are immediately discernible stamps used daily by Russian propaganda against Ukraine – both in the Russian information space and in the media of Western countries.

Speakers at this event were two Ukrainians, residents of Odessa: Elena Radzikhovskaya and Victoria Machulko, who created the public organization – “Mothers’ Council of 2nd May”. At the same time, the organization does not indicate that the tragedy occurred because of provocations by Russian special services, because of their incitement to the mass separatist movement in this region.

However, not only Victoria is interesting in this context, but also one of her two sons – Eugene Machulko (born on December 25, 1975), a representative of the pro-Russian illegal armed formation “Orthodox Cossacks”, unit of Special Forces “Cossack”. On May 2, 2014, he participated in the attack on the pro-Ukrainian demonstration and in the subsequent armed confrontation with human toll. He was arrested and taken into custody. However, the court ruled him to house arrest with a ban to leave the apartment during a certain period of the day – from 9.00 to 13.00 and the electronic control was not applied as a preliminary measure of restraint. However, then due to the expiry of the judicial decision (August 31, 2014), all the measures of restraint were lifted. And now we do not know his location.

The second participant of the conference is a resident of Odessa Elena Radzikhovskaya, a mother of Andrei Brazhevsky, deceased in the House of Trade Unions of Odessa, and who supported the Russian aggression. She also appeared in the European Parliament talking about “Odessa Nazis and Fascists”. Now she is considered to be involved in organization of a terrorist group in 2001-2002, appeared in the so-called case of the Odessa Komsomol members.

At that time a gang led by the first secretary of the city committee of Komsomol of Odessa, Andrei Yakovenko, committed a series of terrorist acts in Ukraine, led anti-Ukrainian propaganda in military units, calling for liquidation of Ukraine, the “revival” of Tavria and the “Black Sea SSR” on the lands of Ukraine, inclusion it in the revived USSR, that is into Russia.

Here’s initial project “Novorossia”. It was the first year of Putin’s rule as president, and means that the plans to seize some lands began to be realized even then. And such conference with such participants was organized by Mr. Mercier-Peschoux Chantal. So, who is Mr. Mercier-Peschoux Chantal?

Who are you, Mercier-Peschoux Chantal?

Mercier-Peschoux Chantal is one who wrote a petition addressed to the former French President Francois Hollande in 2013, calling to stop the participation of the French forces in Syria, as it was contrary to the national interests of France.

It is noteworthy that Mercier-Peschoux Chantal pointed out in this petition that the evidence regarding the chemical attacks of Assad submitted for international consideration is unreliable. Meanwhile, there was another petition, though collective, sent in 2012 to the presidential administration of Hollande. There, the signatories also called on the former president of France to stop participation of the French forces in the Syrian campaign. It is clear that one of those who signed the document was Mercier-Peschoux Chantal.

In the last paragraph he wrote: “I am a member of the party “Republican and Civil Movement” from 1993 to 2006; close to the position of Nicolas Dupont-Enjan (without membership); I’m not deaf to the position of Marin Le Pen (yes, I know that this is not good)”, and my ballot remains available, in some cases. I resolutely oppose the diarchy of the Union for the People’s Movement (leader – Nicolas Sarkozy), but still the atlanticist to the bones”.

We do not know how Mr. Mercier-Peschoux Chantal as an atlanticist, but those people, whom he supports, profess the right, often radical ideas.

Let’s start by order. The party “Republican and Civil Movement” adheres to vague left-wing views based on the ideology of social democracy, populism, euroskepticism, patriotism and anti-Americanism, and requires a full-scale re-industrialization of France. Its former leader is Jean-Pierre Schevenman (now he has the status of honorary chairman). Shevenman is a fairly influential and well-known politician.

According to information for 2017, Shevenman is a special representative of the French government on issues of relations with Russia. On November 4 of the last year, he was awarded the “Order of Friendship” personally from the hands of V.Putin. Then, in November 2017, he visited Moscow and conveyed to the Russian president the message of the leader of France – Emmanuel Macron. This message spoke about cooperation in resolution of the Syrian conflict.

In an interview with Interfax (Russia) he indicated: “US sanctions imposed against the energy and military-industrial sector of the Russian Federation harm international relations”.

It should be noted that he also said that it was necessary to implement the Minsk Agreements (by two sides) and about the inadmissibility of creating conditions for “freezing” of the conflict.

He also drew attention to the fact that Minsk-2 should ultimately lead to the definition of election parameters in the occupied territories of Donbass, the definition of the special status of these lands and the expansion of decentralization. However, it should be clarified that in the first place the politician has put the component related to security.

Among other things, Shevman’s thoughts on the status of extended autonomy in Ukraine are interesting in this interview. He says: “As for the status of extended autonomy in Ukraine, it should include the right of citizens of that country to choose the language of education for their children”. Shevenman’s words told at the meeting with the Speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Vyacheslav Volodin, also attract interest.

We will provide a holistic statement: “I think that now it is necessary to focus on the problem of Ukraine. It is necessary that Ukraine becomes a bridge between Europe and Russia. I think that it is not a need to continue this stupid conflict. In Europe, however, most smart people do not want a return to the Cold War. So it seems to me that the problem today is from the Americans”.

We don’t know if Mercier-Peschoux Chantal and Shevenman are familiar each other, but it is obvious that the first one especially mentioned the French special representative in Russia in the text of the petition – to focus attention on the fact that he adheres to identical views, when the main thing is the resumption of relations with Russia and the gradual surrender of Ukrainian positions.

But let’s return once again to this petition. Mercier-Peschoux Chantal says: “I’m not deaf to the position of Marin Le Pen (yes, I know that this is not good), and my ballot remains available, in some cases”. We have to recall that Marin Le Pen – a former candidate for the presidency of France. She personally supported the so-called referendum in the Crimea, came to a personal audience with Putin before the elections. And now she is going to make a united front with other radical politicians and undermine the general European political institutions.

At once the question has appeared: whether it is possible to prove connection of Mercier-Peschoux Chantal to Le Pen? The adherence to these or other, even selective, positions is not a proof that these political figures cooperate. This does not mean that Mercier-Peschoux Chantal works for the Russians, even if we take into account his connection along the line: Forotan – Soral – Le Pen. But in his note to the notorious petition for Hollande, Mercier-Peschoux Chantal points out that he “is close to the position of Nicolas Dupont-Enjan”.

On March 15, 2016, Dupont-Enjan announced his candidacy for the presidency in elections 2017. In foreign policy, he proposed to withdraw unilaterally from the process of sanctions against Russia, to settle the situation in Donbass by giving Ukraine the status of a neutral state and turning it into a region of Russian-European cooperation. He also called for the security of Eastern Europe through the conclusion of a comprehensive treaty between Europe and Russia on peace and cooperation, thus reaching agreements on resolving frozen conflicts in Cyprus, Kosovo, Transdniestria and the Crimea. How do you like this idea?

And now let’s imagine the most interesting episode in this whole story. On April 28, 2017, Nicolas Dupont-Enjan announced the conclusion of a political agreement with Marin Le Pen, urging his supporters to vote for her in the second round of the elections. According to the reached agreements, in case of victory in the second round of the presidential elections, Le Pen would appoint Dupont-Enjan as the new Prime Minister of France. On October 25, 2017, he and the leader of the Christian Democratic Party, Jean-Frédéric Poisson, initiated a new political project – “Fans of France, a country is more important than parties” – which goal is to form a right alternative to the policy of Macron.

It seems to us that the puzzle has completed. Mercier-Peschoux Chantal, who clearly works against Ukraine, is trying to carry out another provocation in Bucharest, and he is connected in one or another way with right-wing radical forces from France, supporting the Kremlin.

There is a clear question: so under whose flag will the event take place in Romania – under the Swiss, under the French or under the Russian? But, before you answer it, let’s learn about the vice-president of the ICSS, organizing this event, Ukrainian citizen Irina Koval-Leskova.

Activist with “Russian smell”

Irina Koval-Leskova is a resident of Odessa, a founder of the “Formula of Success” agency, producing advertising, printed products and organizing various congresses and trade shows.

On May 27, 2014, immediately after the events of May 2, she organized a conference with the loud title “Democracy and Violence: Ukraine” in Paris where she criticized the Ukrainian authorities, spoke about the persecution, the illegality of the so-called Kiev regime and called on the international community to intervene in the investigation of events of May 2, 2014. She was supported by the socio-political association in support of the “Organization of European Unity” (ROUE).

This organization is also trying to find some common points with Russia, including historical ones. It is even interested in de Gaulle’s relationship with the Soviet leadership and other interesting topics and it’s supported in this by the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Paris.

Such centers are the structures of “Rossotrudnichestvo” – in fact, the structures of cover for Russian special services. They are engaged in attracting foreigners to their activities and with their help try to influence political life in a particular country.

And now, Irina Koval-Leskova, who has rather strange contacts, organizes an openly provocative, threatening Ukrainian territorial integrity event in Bucharest. She organizes it on behalf of the Swiss-registered structure, together with a French citizen, apparently connected with right-wing radical organizations, which have strong connections with Russia.

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The hypocrisy is taking over in the West: the aggressor state’s president Putin (which is waging propaganda war against the Western world) has managed to break international isolation. The number of Kremlin’s friends is increasing in the West.

The West is tired of confrontation with Putin: each time sanctions are prolonged forcedly, but Moscow has accommodated itself to such situation and does not face any serious problems because of restrictive measures.

However, since the annexation of Crimea, the West policy has never been coherent. Now, after the split of the West and after the election of American president who is afraid of Putin, the latter is using the situation for promotion of his own imperial ambitions.

The West was not split by itself, but the Russian president-aggressor did it: one part of western establishment condemns him, another part considers him as a strong leader whose public image is under pressure of Europeans. It was greatly contributed by the “successful” football championship in June. Putin has managed to create an illusion of freedom at the European guests. In fact, while fans were celebrating the victory of their teams, many imprisoners were being tortured and raped in Russian prisons. The great example of the “Russian Themis” is Oleg Sentsov, whose fate remains an important item of agenda for the whole world.

Putin has used vulnerabilities of Europe, i.e., anti-American tendencies and right populist sentiments caused by refugees’ crisis aggravation. Such mentality makes basis of Russians’ perception of the world. Medias, fully controlled by Kremlin, spread these messages via news and talk shows. The average Russian is often homophobe and racist, and is completely incompetent in the field of foreign policy and democratic values and therefore is completely loyal to the “leader”.

Putin’s strategy to deny permanently his participation in military campaigns, including Ukraine, and support of dictatorships around the world has achieved its goals. The discredit of “the world policeman”, the USA, under Trump’s ruling has contributed the same mission. The latter has proved to be unable to confront Putin and is inclining to support him. The fear that once Putin will confirm Russian intervention in presidential elections and its influence over the result – Trump’s victory – is too deep. Such scenario may cause loss of confidence of the US citizens and weaken Trump’s position inside the country. Therefore, Trump is on tenterhooks.

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This year, on July 11 the Greek authorities announced expulsion of two Russian diplomats. According to the official version, such actions were predetermined by an attempt to bribe a number of the Greek officials and priests of Greek Orthodox Church committed by the Russian diplomacy’s representatives. By the way, Greece is one of the few European states, which did not expel the Russian diplomats in response to poisoning of the former intelligence agent Sergey Skripal early in March in Britain by the Russian intelligence agencies. However, possibly even the patience of the Greek government came to end, despite of their more than loyal relation to Moscow.

Well, why then bribing priests, especially, representatives of the Athos monastery and Greek Metropolis? Everything is as simple as ABC – the Russian authorities uses the Russian Orthodox Church to interfere the Ukrainian Church with receiving autocephaly. They are seeking support of as many as possible representatives of orthodox clergy before the decisive meeting of the Synod at the beginning of September. Since the Russian Church, just as the whole Russian state, is governed by people with the semi-criminal past and without showy talents, they got used to act quite primitively – through threats and bribes.

However, the bribes are only one thing, another is explicit blackmail and threats. Head of the Russian Church – Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly stated that acknowledgement of the Ukrainian autocephaly will result in religious split and war in Ukraine. At the same time, he delicately kept silence about the fact of blessing given to the Russian tanks with the Russian soldiers and mercenaries in the Crimea and in the east of Ukraine by representatives of the Russian Church.

Nevertheless, such position of the Russian Patriarch has a common sense. From the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the increasing number of the Ukrainian Orthodox Christians has no wish to associate themselves with the Moscow Patriarchy of Ukrainian Orthodox Church – branch of the Russian Church in Ukraine, and pass to the control of the Kiev Patriarchy, in fact independent Ukrainian Church. Thereby the Russian government loses another if not the last substantial leverage over internal Ukrainian policy.

Who was appointed guilty of religious split in Ukraine? Well, there are a lot of options, though the Catholic Church is deemed to be the main originator for these processes taking great efforts to separate Ukraine from the womb of Russian Orthodoxy and having imposed their values and beliefs. Good thing, they have confined themselves to outlandish ideas instead of announcing a crusade against the Roman throne.

In fact, the Russian clergy is capable of provocations both in Ukraine and in other states where Orthodoxy is the prevailing religion. In this purpose, they can gain advantage of the Russian security services’ support, which work in close rapport with the Russian Church in addition to their own powers. We may anticipate attacks of the representatives of the Moscow Patriarchy in Ukraine by alleged “Ukrainian nationalists” that will be immediately presented as beginning of religious war by the Russian media. Some other orthodox churches loyal or completely controllable by the Russian Church may declare boycott to decisions of the Constantinople Patriarchy that will result in a true church split.

This makes a very old Moscow’s dream to become the center of global Orthodoxy come true, though restricted to some extent. Antioch, Georgian, Bulgarian and Serbian Churches seem to be the most probable candidates for this “membership club”. There is no single answer to the question about the incentives for their management to resign themselves to Moscow control. Possibly it can be money, compromising evidence or both. Russians are ready for everything in order to avoid creating a new competitor in the face of the Ukrainian Church.

It is ok if they avoid human victims. As practice shows, in order to achieve their purposes Russia, which may be equated to the Russian church, spares no efforts. During next weeks we may see different manifestations of religious madness among the Russian clergy and government officials. Is such problem solution approach reasonable? By all means, no. Though, as stated above, they are not able to solve them in other way…

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We all live in corporate world, this fact is beyond any doubts. It has some specific rules – the success is not just money, but money plus the influence on the people, which bring you some ability to enlarge your profit.

There are different types of corporations. Some of them produce cellphones, some of them produce food, some of them are prominent players in the fashion industry, and some of them produce believe in God. Yes, the religion is just the same commodity as food, electronic devices and the competition here is much harder than any other business faces with.

If we take a look on any religion, it is worth to admit that any religion has its dark sides, especially when we talk about the financial sources. Still the world has been changing and minimalism style has been the new trend. The Pope of Rome chooses bijouterie instead of jewelries, and uses budget sedan instead of special vehicle. His colleague from the Russian Orthodox church, patriarch Kirill, lives just the opposite life. The great number of golden church plates, golden headdresses could be explained by the traditions of Orthodox Church. Nevertheless, there is no explanation for expensive watches, premium-class cars, personal yacht and private jet, it looks like vanity and mercantilism. At the same time, Russian Patriarch never spent money on charity nevertheless his estate is more than 3 billion dollars.

It is his own decision how to spend his money. However, that financial issues insult the Patriarchy and reach international level. We mentioned the term “corporation” for a reason, as it is just what Russian Orthodox Church is now. What is the biggest threat to the business? Right – it is loosing of its assets’ cost and profit of it. The biggest asset of Moscow patriarchy is Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow patriarchy, the branch which is totally controlled by Moscow in Ukrainian territory.

In short, Orthodox Church in Ukraine is divided into two main branches, and the difference between them is just the jurisdiction – the Moscow patriarchy is under direct control of Moscow while Kyiv patriarchy insists on its independence for the last 20 years. Recently, Kyiv patriarchy has got the real chance to become independent, to receive the Thomos (the act of recognition, granted by World patriarch). To tell that Russian reaction was extremely negative means to tell nothing. Their opponents faced with information attacks, threats of religious war coming soon, threats of separation of Orthodox world and other apocalyptic scenarios.

The issue of belief is secondary for Russian Orthodox Church, the main issue is the fear to lose its estates in Ukraine, and therefore to lose the profits. It is quite real. Ukrainian Orthodox church of Moscow patriarchy has got solid losses (the annexation of Crimea, war in Donbas and “green people” did their job well). The number of Ukrainians who want to stay in Russian church decreased. There were lots of facts when people demanded their congregations to be incorporated into Kyiv patriarchy, not in Moscow one. It looks like the returning of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra to Kyiv patriarchy will occur in the near future. That is completely unacceptable for Russian patriarch.

Instead of defending its position in the spheres of theology Russian church started out with threats and blackmailing. We have just mentioned the main theses of Moscow patriarchy, which were formulated in quite brutal manner and were sent to World patriarch Bartolomeus. Those who know Russian patriarch cannot be surprised by that fact. He is used to such methods. Since his teen age, he actively cooperated with KGB, he denounced his classmates and professors to security services. Such activity is the reason for rocketed career of today’s patriarch.

After the breakup of the USSR current patriarch started the schemes of cigarettes import with no customs fees, which gave him opportunity to become monopolist in this business activity. That is why current Moscow patriarch obtained the nickname “tobacco bishop” (his church rank at that time) and got the first capital, which was based on smuggling and illicit activity. Patriarch definitely uses the mask of decency and piety, but he is greedy person who is doing whatever it takes to save and to multiply his money.

That is why we do not need to be astonished with the methods of Russian church, methods of gang members who are trying to monopolize the whole Orthodox Church in the world. If the threats and blackmailing do not work, bribery will be used – you need something more, you have to pay.

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Today we may more and more often hear about a lot of pro-Russian politicians and public figures here in Europe as well as ordinary European citizens sympathizing to Russia. Strange to say, this happens despite obvious violations of the democratic rights and freedoms by Russia both in relation to their own national and to other states. Perhaps, phenomenon of such benevolence partly can be explained with arduous efforts of numerous organizations of Russian compatriots abroad and effective public diplomacy under the framework of which various non-governmental funds, associations, unions and other organizations interact. Moreover, Russia actively uses their USSR successor status for strengthening sympathies and advancing specific state foreign policy goals at the public and interpersonal levels.

Activity of the Russian Federation aimed at worldwide creation and functioning of the Russian-speaking communities (which, by the way, Russia afterwards heroically protects), is coordinated by the state agency which is financed from the state budget and strictly follows the party line. That is the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation, or simply Rossotrudnichestvo, founded in 2008. Today it governs a network of 98 Russian centers of science and culture as well as network of representative offices in the Russian Embassies. In addition, Rossotrudnichestvo covers all organizations for compatriots abroad and finances public diplomacy projects.

Since 2014, after President of Russia signed the Concept of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the field of the Assistance to International Development (Presidential Decree No. 259 of April 20, 2014) Rossotrudnichestvo officially became a leader of Russian “soft power”. Moreover, all international financial aid passes through this Federal Agency.

The most known program is the “New generation”, a program of short-term study tours to Russia. It is designed for young social and political activists, scientists, representatives of printed and electronic media, of scientific and business community of the foreign states. The purpose of this program is deepening public, business and scientific relations between the Russian Federation and the foreign states, promotion of the “objective” perspective of the social and political, economic and other transformations in the Russian society by the world community. Moreover, extension of a circle of active foreign young citizens who are positively-spirited in relation to Russia and their attraction to participation in strengthening of partnership with these states that is the most important for the Russian Federation.

However, that is only foreside of this activity, while behind the curtain we may see active recruitment of prospective agents of influence who will further hold important positions in civil service and carry out “personal commissions” from authorities and business circles for lobbying the Russian projects and advance interests of Russia and its representatives.

To make the picture complete, it is worth showing statistics: only in 2017 about 1 000 delegates from 100 countries visited Russia under the “New Generation” program, between 2011 and 2017 – by 5 000 delegates. Perhaps in the future someone of them will turn into one more Gerhard Schröder, Sigmar Gabriel, Miloš Zeman, Viktor Orbán, Alexis Tsipras, Marine Le Pen or Jean-Pierre Chevènement.

Another diplomatic trick has already become the lever of political pressure. Since 2016, Rossotrudnichestvo successfully has introduced the Concept of the Federal Target Program “Russian Language” integrated in January, 2018 into the Sate Program of the Russian Federation “Education Development”. This program primarily is aimed at improvement of conditions for strengthening and spread of Russian in the CIS states. For this purpose, the Agency is assigned with a task to ensure deliveries of not only textbooks and manuals on Russian, but also of Russian-language magazines and other printing editions abroad. In addition, it holds major, socially important events popularizing Russian and extending sphere of its influence as well as a possibility of Russian-language education in foreign states. That makes the Russian-speaking audience, capable of absorbing and understanding “the high purposes” of the Russian state, and of their subsequent support growing exponentially.

Here is only a short list of the actions financed by Russia in the name of world expansion. This year the initiative of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs “Global Challenges 2018” started in Moscow, the International BaltArtek Youth Educational Forum is organized in the Kaliningrad region, the Russian-Balkan Youth Forum will take place in Ryazan; Academy of Young Leaders will hold meeting in Bulgaria, the “Russians in Paris” project is launched in Paris. The prime purpose of such events in consolidation of the young compatriots’ efforts aimed at advancing of the purposes of “the Russian world” abroad and creating preconditions for cooperation development with the foreign states.

It should be noted that promotion of the Russian interests abroad is also supported by the World Association of Graduates of the Russian Higher Education Institutions. In 2017, the European forum of graduates was held in Berlin with the support of the World Association and Rossotrudnichestvo. In 2018, this forum will be hosted by Serbia. Many foreign graduates of above-mentioned higher education institutions hold important positions in their states, are engaged in public, commercial, research and cultural work. It gives to the Russian Federation the chance to prepare political elite and to lay the foundation for further beneficial foreign policy for Russia.

Formally, in the eyes of the third parties, this cultural and humanitarian activity is no different for example from the activity of the Goethe-Institute, Confucius Institute or the Open Society Foundations (the latter, by the way, are accused by Russia of intelligence activities in favor of the USA) being focused both on assistance in studying and advance of great Russian language and establishing interaction between the states which does not contradict the European democratic values. However, when analyzing numerous programs and actions of Rossotrudnichestvo, it becomes clear that using the methods of the former KGB USSR, Russia creates worldwide the “islands” of subversive activities, propaganda, and possible expansion of territories for the purpose of the Russian-speaking population protection (http://tinypic.com/r/33arxhl/9). Therefore, all of us should look closely at the activity of the so-called “national diplomats” otherwise it would be late.

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In the context of continuing Russia aggression in the east of Ukraine, which proceeds to a chronic stage, events on its western borders remain in a relative shadow. Unfortunately, they are far from being conflict-free! While the eastern neighbor has visited Ukrainian territory on tanks, the Western prefer the soft force, money and manipulating sentiments. Though Hungary’s actions can be hardly referred to as impetuous, declarations and behavior of its officials give no grounds to doubt that western neighbors of Ukraine are always ready to use its internal and external problems.

The latest reason for concern was an appointment of the authorized Hungarian representative in Transcarpathia – the government’s representative who is responsible for development of the Ukrainian territory. The mere title of the position leads to a question whether that is an intervention in internal affairs of the sovereign state and in literal sense a step over the boundaries of peace neighborliness?

Whatever representations Hungarians have made with regard to sincerity of their intentions to develop Transcarpathia region and to support the ethnic Hungarians residing there, little by little Hungary interferes in affairs which by default fall under the scope of the sovereign state’s competence. Thus, the Hungarian parliament made an express stand against education act adopted by Ukraine in support of their language. The document provides for the protection mechanisms of Ukrainian by using it as basic language during school educational process without limitation to ethnic minorities. According to this law, beginning from the 5th form children of ethnic minorities shall study in Ukrainian, and learn their native language as a separate discipline. However, studying some disciplines in languages of EU states is not excluded.

Budapest has not only distorted the very meaning of the Ukrainian Act, having accused Ukraine, but even issued a resolution on this matter. The Hungarian parliament in its decision claimed that the Education Act outlaws all schools, higher education institutions and professional technical institutions which provide education in Hungarian. That is obvious and deliberate distortion of the Act. Also, deputies of the National Assembly of Hungary declare that educational process in languages of minorities becomes impossible though the Education Act provides for teaching several subjects in foreign languages, including Hungarian and Romanian.

The first meeting of Prime Minister Orban’s Government following the elections was marked by the adoption of the Memorandum on the Protection of the Transcarpathian Hungarians. The document was sent to the leaders of all NATO member states and the Secretary General of Alliance. In the memorandum the Hungarian government suggests NATO member states to consider “the problems of ethnic minorities in Ukraine related to the Ukrainian laws”.

To this end, manipulations by Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine are used as well. For instance, Foreign Minister of Hungary Peter Szijjártó emphasized that Hungary will not support rapprochement of Ukraine with NATO unless Kiev “stops encroachments upon the Hungarian minority”. In support of this statement Budapest proceeded to blocking up organisation of the Ukraine-NATO Commission’s meeting.

What are then the reasons for so strong counteraction of Hungarians to the implementation of such basic right as using of a state language in education by Ukraine?

Primarily, all this actions creates prerequisites for the probable scenario of stirring autonomist intentions in Transcarpathia region. Hungarian officials deny such charges in every possible way, though contribution of the Hungarian nationalists can be traced at the informal level, as long as they call certain regions of Ukraine their territory.

Secondly, at the latest parliamentary elections Hungary’s ‘passport policy’ in Ukraine provided support of ethnic Hungarians to Fidesz party, which expresses more and more Euroskeptical spirits. Modern Hungarian elites, similarly to those in Russia with their “Russian World” project, try to revive previous regional influence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by means of ethnic Hungarians and pro-Hungarian public organizations, advancing the ideas of Hungarian autonomies within the territory of other states.

Perhaps such similarity of imperial aspirations and purposes allows Hungarians to perceive Russia as such “strategic partner” which can facilitate “restoration of historical justice” for quite insignificant concessions from the Hungarian side, and help Hungarians to reunite or even to return some lands.

If Budapest achieves their purposes and the Ukrainian Education Act will get amendments for their benefit, Transcarpathia in the nearest future will be completely madiarised and will lose language and cultural ties with a maternal part of Ukraine. Such approach perfectly meets the Russian plans for the partition of the Ukrainian lands.

By all means, Moscow encourages the Hungarian expansion to Transcarpathia not for nothing. They have repeatedly used Budapest for pressure upon Kiev. In 2015 after Mr. Orban’s visit to Moscow official Budapest refused to resell the Russian gas to Ukraine. At the same time Mr. Orban makes conciliatory declarations about the conflict in Donbas, levelling Russia’s participation in the armed conflict. Avoiding mentioning sanctions, he on the contrary calls to conciliation with an aggressor in exchange for economic sops, causing disruption of international law and order.

As a result, Ukraine appears between two states which prepare a ground for reconstruction of their ‘great empires’ of previous centuries upon the unspoken consent of the EU leaders. And if one of them makes it in the way of uncovered aggression, then another uses to this end covert and short, though not less decisive steps.

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