- Today, Ukraine is celebrating the 4th anniversary of the so-called Revolution of Dignity. For some inconceivable reasons, the celebrations are rather dull. The investigation of the events of 2014 hasn't unearthed anything particular. But the main thing was the glorious speech of the Ukrainian president who said that the crimes have no limitation period. That's true. But let's try to understand what he meant.
"The deed of our fearless knights armed with stones and their love for Ukraine rallied the whole civilized world to our side four years ago and is continuing to inspire millions of Ukrainian patriots to bravely struggle against the hybrid challenges of the Russian world".
- Why was it so important for you, Mr. Tryukhan?
- First of all…
Nikolay Starikov: He has a way with words, he should write novels. Sorry for interrupting.
Vadim Tryukhan, political analyst: First of all, I'd like to correct Olya We're not celebrating anything today. On this day, three years ago in 2015.
- Four.
- Wait for it. In 2015, President Poroshenko signed a decree that instead of celebrating encouraged us to honor the memory of the heroes from the Heavenly Hundred who died on that day. 48 people lost their lives. On this very day, February 20, from 8 a.m. to the evening. The total number of casualties during the Revolution of Dignity is more than 100. Some bodies still haven't been identified.
- Mr. Tryukhan, please, don't correct us. We've always told you that Ukraine has nothing to celebrate. What you call a revolution…
- Olya, please, could I answer the question? I'll continue if you don't mind. Today, Ukraine is organizing events to honor the memory of those ordinary Ukrainians who sacrificed their lives on those terrible days of February 18, 19, and 20 to let Ukraine join Europe to ensure the future of our kids and to secure our independence.
- From whom?
- So…
- Do you honor the memory of the dead police officers as well?
- I would abstain from sarcasm if I were you.
- I'm being dead serious. Do you honor the memory of the dead police officers?
- Wait a second, it was a Ukrainian tragedy. At that time, Russia had no direct impact on it. So, once again, I would abstain from sarcasm. Well, regarding its importance…
- Do you honor the officers?
- Let me finish. Regarding its importance for Ukraine it gave us a chance, it gave us hope. Unfortunately, wrong people got into power. I'm not afraid to say it. The Maidan didn't fight for them. The politicians managed to tame the Maidan without taking any responsibility. There were situations when the Maidan was chanting: "Who's our leader? Who's our leader?" And they said the people of Ukraine were their leaders. They were afraid of responsibility. Unfortunately, they got into power. I can name them: Yatsenyuk, Klichko, Tyahnybok, and Turchinov. Poroshenko came afterward.
- And Parasyuk?
- He didn't get into power, he entered the Parliament. He's not ruling the state. You know, one can have their doubts about whether the Maidan was necessary and the results worth it. But the Revolution of Dignity is not over. It slowed down because Russia started a war against Ukraine. And Ukraine has to spend immense amounts of money to fend off its aggressive neighbor.
- Was it worth the victims? Tell me, was it worth it or not?
- I liked the statement of the Danish Foreign Minister during his visit to Ukraine on February 20-22. On June 27, he'll hold a large European conference in Denmark to discuss the future of Ukraine. He said: "The success of reforms in Ukraine is the best response to Russian aggression." We must focus on internal reforms. We must finish our decentralization conduct an anti-corruption reform and a tax reform. We must adopt new laws that will make Ukraine attractive for foreign investors. Then, we'll reach the European level.
- Put an end to the war.
- OK, Mr. Tryukhan. I've asked you three questions and you've answered none.
- According to my estimates, within this year we'll hold early elections and I'm sure we'll reshuffle our political elite. Moreover, I think that the results of the 2019 presidential elections will be rather unexpected because we wouldn’t have to choose the best from the worst. We'll elect a true leader.
- OK, new people will come. I asked three questions.
- The deaths of the officers are personal tragedies of their families. But they were fulfilling crime orders. Hundreds of their cases are being processed in Ukrainian courts. The courts will conclude who was right and who was wrong.
- Was the shooting person right or wrong?
- Ukraine is honoring the memory of those who were fighting for freedom.
- With weapons in their hands.
- I was there and saw everything.
- I was there too, you know.
- I saw people fight with sticks and stones fighting officers armed with guns. And the most important point: The majority of people who took part in the Revolution of Dignity are currently saying that they have no regrets. They would still go to the Maidan. If people hadn't protested back then, Ukraine would have turned into Belarus or the DPRK.
- Don't even mention Belarus. You have a long way ahead of you before turning into Belarus. Even from the economic point of view.
Nikolay Starikov, social activist, writer: It's not the Revolution of Dignity it's the Revolution of Lies. They were lying from beginning to end Poroshenko calls them knights armed with stones, sticks, and shield. Check the statistics. 900 police officers were either killed or injured. Killed with stones? Or sticks? No, they were shot. Killed or injured. Some of them were tortured. Let me speak. A Berkut soldier had his eyes plucked out and was beaten to death.
- During the Maidan, the police hospital was full of injured officers.
- They weren't armed with stones during the coup. It's a lie. Was it worth it? Of course, it wasn't. We won't even mention that there's no reason for even one child's tears. Regular presidential elections were going to be held in 2015. What terrible things did Yanukovych do, that you couldn't bear with him for a year? Let me speak! I remind you, that the Kiev coup happened in February 2014. The elections were scheduled for spring of 2015. A year. Even now, you're lying.
Vadim Tryukhan: I'll repeat if you don't get it: November 21.
- On November 21, there were like 10 or 12 people there. I didn't see you there. There were some students.
- You're manipulating the facts and you're not the ones to judge.
- We are the ones. It's not your internal affair.
- We were choosing our government who stays and who leaves.
- Go on, choose. Go choose. Don't listen to what you're told.
Nikolay Starikov: I invited my colleague to go to Donetsk tomorrow. He refused. I invited him to see the results of your Dignity of your Revolution. Look those people in the eye. But you refuse. You refuse.
- OK, stop. You've been talking for too long. You've been talking for too long. Russia occupying Ukraine was your dream.
