If wonder happens in Ukraine and Orange-type parties come to power again, Donbas and Crimea should be allowed to separate, says writer Yury Andrukhovych

“I do not mean they are all Russian-minded. However, it would be simpler for the Ukrainian minority to emigrate to Ukraine to avoid constant persecution and oppression. In Donetsk, they are even loath to give the name of their fellow countryman Vasyl Stus [a noted fighter against Communism and long-time dissident – Ed.] to a local university.

That is, they are hostile to any Ukrainian movement there. The movement is blocked not because of any repression but because it is really opposed by the local population. The locals are strangers in Ukraine. They are not interested in things Ukrainian, they are just indifferent,” Andrukhovych claims.

The noted writer says Ukrainians are toying with the idea of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, a thing that does not exist in reality. “The integrity exists because their guy [Pres Yanukovych] is now at the helm in Kyiv. In other words, one seventh of the population is calling the shots in Ukraine, dictating to the nation what should be done.

I, therefore, would not discard the separation of Donbas and Crimea and would not dogmatize the damn integrity. Why should we stand by something which, in fact, may eventually ruin us?” Andrukhovych argued. 

He believes the separation of Crimea and Donbas is now impossible because the Donbas clan is in power.

Meanwhile, he doesn’t believe the Orangists will ever regain power again.