Mykhailo Cherenkov
Maidan – that is how historians will designate the new era in Ukraine and the post-Soviet world. It is a marker not only of social and political change, but of a deep, tectonic shift in thinking, culture, and relationships. Here are some of the consequences of Maidan that have been long in the making.
Russia Apart
After Maidan, Russia launched its takeover of Crimea, and it became immediately clear who supported the Yanukovich regime and its criminal activities. Moscow removed its mask. The “brother at the gates,” was armed with weapons and outright hatred. The launch of Russian aggression marked the final end of the “Russian world,” about which President Putin and Patriarch Kirill speak so eloquently. Ukraine can be a good, solid neighbor to Russia, but Ukrainians do not believe for a moment the rhetoric about brotherhood and unity among Slavic people. An uncontrolled chain reaction of decay has been set in motion. The idea of Russia as a unifying territorial power in post-Soviet space is receding into the past. None of the former Soviet republics, now independent, wants to join forces with her; she is left alone.
Ukraine Apart
After Maidan, Ukraine, too, is left alone, but for now this is to its benefit. She breaks away from the rough, Russian bear hug. However, her place in Europe is not yet ready, and she herself is not yet ready for Europe. It is a good time for Ukraine to be between East and West, looking around, getting ready, and taking a conscious step toward the European family. At the same time Ukraine should be aware of her special status as a middle ground, on the edge of Europe and in close proximity to Russia. Membership in the European Union will protect Ukraine, but its long-term advantage lies in not belonging completely to either Eurasia or Europe, an intermediary position between two different worlds.
The Force of Civil Society
After Maidan, the entire post-Soviet world can no longer ignore the genuine force of civil society. Maidan demonstrated citizens’ remarkable ability to organize and mobilize for battle against a criminal state. Ukrainians themselves were dubious about their abilities, and Russians and Belarusians were even more dubious. Maidan has set a precedent of successful action by civil society against a corrupt and out-of-touch regime. Post-Soviet states deaf to the yearnings of their subjects must now contend with this new threat to arbitrary rule and will attempt to crush it. As it turned out, it was not pressure from the West, but rather it was the solidarity and determination of ordinary people that proved to be the critical factor in Maidan’s success.
Students and Journalists as Change Agents
After Maidan, two human forces, students and journalists, strode onto the stage of history, the real significance of which is underrated to this day. Ukrainian students have no connection with, or remembrance of, the Soviet past and are hardly susceptible to traditional forms of propaganda. In Maidan they proved to be the advocates and engineers of change by their unwavering presence, day in and day out, in the ranks of demonstrators. The same can be said of journalists. Seeking out and disseminating accurate and timely information, they proved to be the enemies of the totalitarian state which resorted to lies, fear, and violence in its attempts to silence opposition. Journalists provided critical support for Maidan protestors and were a primary target of government forces seeking to curb them. In the days to come the best hope for transformation, transparency, and accountability in government, the best hope for checking power-hungry oligarchs, the best hope for effecting modernization, and the best hope of “rebooting” the system rests with journalists.
Maidan and the Church
After Maidan the role of the Church and society’s attitude towards it are changing. Previously, in an environment of corrupt institutions, the Church enjoyed the highest confidence rating, but took little advantage of its influence. Instead of serving society, the Church served the interests of the state. Maidan, passing judgment on the state, also passed judgment on the Church. Churches that supported Maidan have a future. In contrast, church leaders who preached neutrality or reassured the Yanukovich regime of their complete devotion have proven themselves to be spiritually bankrupt.
Maidan hammered a stake into the remaining vestiges of Soviet-style rule. Maidan also thrust up shoots of new life, not just post-Soviet life, but life that is totally new. In the near future we will witness more changes in the wake of Maidan, but it would be much better if we became active participants in building a nation committed to religious liberty, honest government, and economic modernization.
Mikhailo Cherenkov is a vice-president of the Association for Spiritual Renewal, Irpen, Ukraine.