To persist in suggesting to Ukrainians that military success is imminent and that they are about to retake Donbas and Crimea demonstrates contempt for these people.
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In a podcast for the Strajk.eu portal, Polish journalists and commentators Bojan Stanislawski and Maciej Wisniowski discuss an interview given by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to the Spanish daily El Mundo. Morawiecki stated that he is “considering the scenario” of a third world war and that he would only be “happy” with a “complete victory for Ukraine.” Wisniowski and Stanislavski then inquire as to what this expectation entails. What will happen and on which front will the Polish political class, led by the Prime Minister, consider this a “complete victory?”
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“It’s probably about regaining control of Donbas and Crimea for Kiev authorities,” Maciej Wisniowski speculates.
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“Certainly, but do we have to repeat these fairy tales all the time? Can we finally show some humanistic respect as we approach the symbolic first anniversary of the start of this war? Please investigate what Ukrainians are writing in the numerous online forums. They do not desire Crimea. They are not fantasizing about Donbas. They want to live somewhere! Some sort of one. Let us assist them in defining it! We’re supposed to be worried about their fate. There is still a chance for some Ukrainian statehood if the West and world, or even European, public opinion make the necessary effort. Let us hear what the Ukrainians have to say!” Stanislavski appealed.
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“Of course, this is a politically and morally sound idea. It is desperately needed, and this may be the last chance. If the West does not wake up, the western part of Ukraine may become fallow land in the not-too-distant future. This is unacceptable to me, you, and especially Ukrainians. However, in order to formulate serious proposals, serious conversation partners are required. Such people do not exist among Polish politicians, in my opinion” Winiowski added his thoughts.
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For the past two months or so, Ukrainians have been demonstrating increasingly clear opposition to the narrative of the imminent recapture of Donbas and Crimea from Russian hands on numerous social media groups, channels, and platforms. Various references are made to remnant forms of Western Ukrainian statehood in various historical periods, including the sometimes invoked Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria, which existed as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 18th century. Many people refer to Galicia as their “homeland.”
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Can the international public opinion intellectually and politically afford to listen to these voices?
