A couple of days had gone by since last time Benedict had visited Maurice. He had left after an evening meal consisting mostly of soup with stale bread and other scraps. Then he had announced going away for a couple of days.
Maurice was not under the impression that Benedict felt particularly tied to a weekly schedule. He took small jobs of all sorts, and needed precious little.
It was already past 10.30 before Maurice noticed his face in the distance already smiling warmly. They were polar opposites on the political spectrum, but not enemies.
“The fatal day is approaching”, he said, probably referring to their time travel through the Rada diaries.
Maurice greeted back and went outside to the shed’s porch. He removed blankets from the laptops and presto!, everything was as they had left it.
15.02.2022
https://www.rada.gov.ua/meeting/stenogr/show/7951.html
The last couple of days Maurice had been giving the Russian Duma’s transcript a quick glance too. When the two friends had settled in and after reading a few lines in the Rada entry for 15th February, he used that knowledge:
“We as plain participants in arguments have a bad tendency to attribute our impressions of a country’s action to its leader. As if the president is the driving force behind every aggression or value-based decision. But in neither Zelensky’s nor Putin’s case this looks completely correct. Zelensky wanted Minsk to work, but many parties in the Rada scorned him.”
Artur Herasymov
ARTUR VOLODYMYROVYCH GERASIMOV (EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY)
Russia has littered the Donbas with hundreds of thousands of Russian passports, held an illegal vote in the State Duma, economically absorbed the occupied regions, and supplies weapons non-stop. Today, the State Duma received an order to recognize pseudo-republics. This is how Russia completes the destruction of the Minsk agreements, thereby giving Ukraine the full right to abandon its obligations.
[…]
The Minsk agreements were the only correct decision for 2014-2015, they stopped the Russian offensive, gave us time, whole years to rebuild and strengthen the army
Together with France and Germany, we agreed on a road map with the priority of security issues, developed a plan for the introduction of UN “blue helmets”. Unfortunately, Zelensky rejected these ideas, and his agreement to Putin’s version of the “Steinmeier formula” put political issues ahead of security issues.
“… And in the Duma, they also display the same hostility towards Ukraine, demanding that Putin recognises the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk immediately.”
“Yes. So in this case at the very least there is a dynamic between the president and the government, where they influence each other. But perhaps closer to the mark, the president really does act as the executive of the public’s will, or at least the will of the deputies.”
“The more liberal the party, the more vocal about a hardline solution. The opposition parties tend to favour a solution that can lead to peace. But not necessarily a peaceful solution here and now.”
I would like to emphasize once again that our faction and our team demand the dismissal of Ambassador Prystayk for his statement about Ukraine’s readiness to abandon the course to join NATO.
“Give me NATO or give me death.”
“Prophetic.”
— Brief chat on self-determination —
“Opposition Platform - For Life is pacifist. But the Russian communist party, CPRF, is difficult to gauge. We know they are convinced that recognition of LPR, DPR followed perhaps by a quick military action will lead to peace.”
Kazbek Taysaev
KAZBEK KUTSUKOVICH TAYSAYEV (CPRF, RUSSIAN STATE DUMA)
In recent weeks, the situation around Ukraine has sharply deteriorated. Russia is being accused of intending to act as an occupier. In fact, the reason for the crisis is that the Washington puppeteers of the Kiev leadership and Bandera formations are persistently trying to start a war in Donbass. Solving their geopolitical tasks, they are ready to arrange another large-scale bloodshed. We firmly know that the peoples of Russia and Ukraine do not need war.
“… Certainly they favour a peaceful solution …”
We, the Communists, are convinced that guys from Kharkiv and Sumy, Zaporozhye and Kiev should not feud with their peers from Ryazan and Khabarovsk, Arkhangelsk and Moscow. These guys, like all of us, have the same names and surnames, common roots and faith, relatives on both sides of the border. It’s time to drive out all the enemies of our peoples.
“… with the usual hint of schizophrenia when talking about not feuding but driving out the enemies of our peoples. What if words won’t work?”
Our party made its choice eight years ago. We have always held a clear position on the status of the DPR and LPR, advocated recognition of the results of the 2014 referendum and built our work with the republics as sovereign states.
“Right to self-determination. The only discussion in politics that matters.”
“I hate the concept. Everyone with an axe to grind throws that concept into the discussion. Politicians we hate allegedly oppose the natural right to self-determination, which for the duration of the sentence implies right to secession. Two seconds later, that implication is gone.
So which is it? The Ukrainians has a right to secede from the Soviet Union. But the Russians in Ukraine has no right to secede from Ukraine?”
“There is more at stake than that. The military build …”
Artur Herasymov
YULIA TYMOSHENKO (FATHERLAND)
[…] is forcing Ukraine to implement the Minsk agreements in the version that they were signed against the interests of Ukraine. […] This directly threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity, directly threatens the very existence of Ukraine.
[…]
First. Parliament must clearly state, by adopting the relevant document, that only the implementation of the security package should be implemented first, and then any elections. First, liberate our territory and renew the border under the control of Ukraine, and then any political actions.
“… And add to that the very real possibility that Putin is pulling the strings, so in essence the people in Donetsk and Lugansk are not contemplating secession but robbing Ukraine of its sovereign territory.”
“When you talk about self-determination, I can’t help thinking about how Lenin tirelessly advocated that right. On strategic grounds, that it.”
“So he didn’t advocate it?”
“Yes. Lenin’s view: The bourgeoise only pretend to lead the nationalities to freedom as a way to control the process. They really want the benefits of a homogenised market, and in particular a bourgeois nation with as many benefits in the competition between nations as possible. The proletariat must see through all that and staunchly support every people’s right to self-determination as a principle. "
“In this case it would imply that Lenin would support DPR and LPR in their breakaway attempt, as long as they would give up economically benefitting from the industrial areas.”
“Yes or perhaps establish treaties that would split the economic benefits. This is also a way to show their sincerity.”
— The many many strategies and then Nestor —
“Olena Shulyak of Servant of The People puts her trust in the territorial defence.”
“Pavlo Bakunets of Trust wants to appeal to the international community to ignore Russia’s acknowledgement of the republics.”
“Kostenko of Voice wants to appeal to USA, France and hold them up on their Budapest Memorandum to support Ukraine if they are attacked.”
“Budapest memorandum obligates Russia to not use force or economic coercion. It doesn’t directly require any party to come to Ukraine’s aid unless it it attacked with nuclear weapons. "
“Nestor’s lonely soliloquy. Poor guy who believes in peace more than war.”
“Even I am starting to admire him”, Maurice said to Benedict’s surprise.
“He openly addresses the nationalistic hysteria that labels Zelensky himself as a traitor.”
Mrs. Merkel is a traitor, Mr. Steinmeier is a traitor, those people’s deputies and politicians, regardless of whether they are in the parliament or not, who are now calling for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, are traitors.
“And back to voting for sending appeals to EU, UN etc.”
“Platitudes and self profiling all of it. Batenko appeals to the IMF, USA to assist during economic pressure. Say something bad about the aggressor and promote a bill for an appeal to someone out there. Then your party is on the good-boy list too.
They may dislike Zelensky, but he clearly was doing something tangible.”
“11:04 - Verkhovna Rada decided to communicate to EU, NATO… not to recognise DPR, LPR”
— The feeling that war is inevitable —
Benedict was starting to look pale. Initially Maurice attributed that to his realisation that people really hated the crimes of Russia. But maybe his outlook was contagious. Maurice started to feel something unknown to him.
“Look, you know me, how loudly I have condemned to hypocrisy and hidden evil of Russia.”
Benedict looked even more painful at this point. Could he finally be realising that he had been wrong all along, at this defining moment when Maurice was starting to doubt?
“Go on…”
“It does something to you, reading slowly through all of this. I mean, I prefer to think of our stance as rational humanism versus irrational despotism. That image breaks down when you over and over witness voices of peace being ignored or ridiculed.”
“Iryna Herashchenko of European Solidarity wants to strike Russia economically if they withdraw from Minsk first.”
“Skoryk of Opposition Platform wonders why the deputies sound so war crazy, when the rest of the world urges them to implement Minsk.”
IVAN KRULKO (FATHERLAND)
Today, the parliament is considering a draft statement, which is caused by the fact that the Duma of the Russian Federation, at the request of the Communists and the Russian ruling party, is trying to make a decision on appealing to their President Putin to recognize the “LPR” and “DPR” as independent states.
“At least one of them is aware of the reality behind the suggestion. "
“Tobacco laws, medicine expenses, pensions. Another day on the job.”
“Territorial defence again. The territorial defence is acting under the AFU. They suggest allowing them to function as reserves even in combat zones.”
Mykhailo Zabrodskyi
MYKHAILO ZABRODSKYI (EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY)
[…] where such a large number of bulletproof vests, vehicles and means of communication will be taken, unfortunately, has not yet been answered. And there is also the issue of the educational and material base, there is also the issue of points of permanent deployment. And we see only one way out - this is targeted state support, this is targeted budget financing of relevant programs for the support of the TrO, because the games of private armies, in which individual regional leaders are eager to get involved, can be too dangerous in wartime.
“When he says ’too eager’, this is where I get afraid that at least some of the civilians we saw in the streets were actually either from the Territorial Defence Forces or - in the cases where there were so many volunteers that the units were already overfilled - sympathisers without military clothes.”
“The mood is clear: Anybody suggesting peace is a traitor at this point.
Vitaly Bezgin tells how someone from European Solidarity had tried to communicate to the territorial defence people not to follow the Servant of the People suggestion. Politics and PR?”
“Vitaly thinks so, but who knows. We have learned by now to always go to the source first. Explanations become perverted instantaneously in this toxic environment.”
And there is no need to shout here, let the mass media check whose relatives are now in which country, it will be very consistent.
“Snitching and public exposure. I can’t respect that.”
“Russian Duma is no different. Eight years of civil war does that.”
“I know. I’m indicting the whole of parliamentarian. The most puerile voices sound loudly in the most dangerous positions.
And furthermore, let’s sum up the position of all but the pro-Russian parties:
- They hate Minsk. It felt dictated by Russia and infringes on their sovereignty.
- Most wants to punish the rebels.
- They always and only talk about kicking out the aggressors and how criminal the rebels are.
Where in all that do you see even a hint of something that could tell the ordinary Russian speaking citizen in Donbas that living in Ukraine is a wise choice?”
“Nowhere. I also don’t see how peace could happen. All sides are really locked down in this mud because of the hatred and aggressions, but also because of the wrongs that have been done.”
“It really is a civil war.”
— Shrapnels of hell breaking loose —
During an online meeting with the heads of the secretariats of the party’s territorial organizations on February 14, the following instructions were announced: to communicate with the heads of factions and groups in local councils about preventing local council deputies from accepting an appeal regarding territorial defense initiated by “Servant of the People”.
“It seems like they have become aware that the Duma in Russia at this very moment has voted for the resolution to ask Putin to recognise the republics.”
Viktoria Siumar
SYUMAR V.P.
Dear colleagues, the State Duma of Russia voted by a majority to refer the President of the Russian Federation to decide whether the Ukrainian Donbas is occupied - it is the territory of Ukraine, or it is actually independent so-called republics. This is another act of Russian aggression against state sovereignty and Ukrainian independence.
“Less sophisticated: …”
Iryna Herashchenko
HERASHCHENKO I.V. (EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY)
[…] This means one thing: Moscow’s unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements.
What do we demand?
First. Immediately sanctions lists for every scumbag from the State Duma who will press the button against the dismemberment of Ukraine. And this is our appeal to the whole world.
Second. Review the agenda now so that you and I pass laws on supporting the Ukrainian army, and not this is all that is happening.
“If Putin …”
signs such an appeal and sends it, they will do what they did in Abkhazia, what they did in Transnistria.
“»Abkhazia, Transnistria, and South Ossetia are post-Soviet “frozen conflict” zones«, says Wikipedia.
So the Russian peace keepers can now enter, that’s what they fear will result.”
“Poor Stefanchuk. They have a schedule that he now needs to coax them into following. Energy storage decisions. Local self government. Child protection. Sports for old people.”
“Oleksiy Goncharenko goes Euro Vision… »Donetsk is Ukraine! Luhansk is Ukraine! Donetsk is Ukraine! Luhansk is Ukraine! Donetsk is Ukraine! Luhansk is Ukraine! Donetsk is Ukraine! Luhansk is Ukraine! Donetsk is Ukraine! Luhansk is Ukraine!«”
“Roman Mykhailovych Lozynskyi talks about the danger of having the National Guard stand unaccountable unlike the National Police. Guards can beat peaceful protesters without facing consequences.”
“Most are for National Guard to wear id badges. But danger of databases where they can be identified poses a threat to them. Predicament.”
“Improve the notary system to match European standards.”
“And right in that notary discussion, Nestor usurps the microphone:”
SHUFRYCH N.I. (OPPOSITION PLATFORM - FOR LIFE)
You know, I have some kind of terrible déjà vu, I remember myself on this podium in February 2014, when we heard about the referendum in Crimea and the terms of its postponement from May 25, March 31, March 16. And then, I am absolutely convinced, a temporary but nevertheless loss of control over this territory and a loss of communication with our Ukrainian citizens.
Olaf Scholz is in Moscow today, Macron was there a few days ago. Tell me, please, is such a vote possible in the State Duma, if our strategic partners, as they say, at least did not turn a blind eye to it? We must now realize the full responsibility of the Verkhovna Rada and each deputy regarding the possible consequences of this vote.
Now, as a parliamentary-presidential republic, we have to invite the President and discuss the current situation.
Why did such a vote take place on the day when the Chancellor of Germany is in Moscow after his visit to Ukraine? I don’t want us to blame each other for the actual failure of Ukrainian diplomacy, which, unfortunately, is the case. I do not want to give evaluations now, I want us to find a way out of the crisis, to save the possibility of communication with 5 million of our citizens and with Donbas, which is Ukrainian. I don’t want 2014 to be…
Maurice kept reading aloud from Nestor’s speech. He sharply disagreed with the man’s thoughts, but he admired his courage.
He ignored the whole ensuing discussion about a digital system for judges and the courts. He even started to doubt the value of parliamentary debate.
When once again in a debate about cinematography funding, only the Opposition Platform talked like they were in love with a peaceful, cultural bygone Ukraine, not a bellicose, brutish one, he felt a little bit of Benedict’s sadness.
SKORYK M.L. (OPPOSITION PLATFORM - FOR LIFE)
Once upon a time, the entire Soviet Union sang our songs “Chervona Ruta”, “Oh, Spruce, tell me, Spruce” and now sings. And the matter is absolutely not in the language, but in the fact that there are no talented, there are no talented directors and they are not financed by the state for some reason. They are talented directors, but what the Ministry of Culture is doing, what our bodies that finance cinematography are doing, is absolutely against the Ukrainian language, against Ukrainian culture […]
Ukraine didn’t need Russia to feel angry, he thought to himself. They have caught the European sickness quite badly. They looked to the future and up, not down on the soil they worked on and lived with for generations.
KNYAZHYTSKY M.L. (EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY)
Watch the movie “Cyborgs”, you will definitely like it. And this is really a film that talks about a strong Ukrainian army, which we need so much.
KRULKO I.I. (FATHERLAND)
“Motherland” systematically voted and will always support Ukrainian cinema, especially those films aimed at patriotic education.
Ukraine seemed to him infected with popular demand for condemnation of a selection of favourite candidates: Zelensky, Russia, corrupt politicians (often those you competed with), pro-Russian or not fanatically anti-Russian politicians.
/PARADOX