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Opinion
December 7, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 28
KRUK REPORT:
Martial law – a view from Ukraine
Kateryna Kruk in Kyiv
Over the last five years Ukraine has gone through many tough episodes: revolution, the annexa- tion of Crimea, the conflict in Eastern Ukraine that was followed by the Russian invasion and has led to more than ten thousand people killed with millions more displaced, troubles with the Ukrainian economy and struggles to stabilise
it. Last week’s events on the Sea of Azov can definitely be added to that list. On November 25 the Russian coast guard attacked three Ukrain- ian vessels attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait. The Russian ships shot at and seized the Ukrainian ships and arrested their crew. The events were followed by the introduction of mar- tial law in 10 regions of Ukraine a few days later.
We are now a week into martial law and the first emotional shock has worn off. At least, among the people. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshen- ko’s political opponents continue to criticise him for introducing martial law, however needed, and making such a dramatic move right before the beginning of the election campaigns.
Ironically, these very opponents helped Po- roshenko to save face when opposing his initial version of the martial law in the parliament. The draft document suggested introducing martial law over the entire territory of Ukraine for 60 days, which would have shortened the presi- dential campaign by one month. Whether it was due to complaints in parliament, pressure from Ukraine’s Western partners or advisers from his
Martial law has had little impact on Ukrainians' daily lives but was necessary after an open attack by Russia
own team, Poroshenko showed a willingness to cooperate and ultimately limited the scope of his bill on martial law. If this hadn’t happened, then criticism of him would have been be much harsher. As for now, he can really claim to be both a patriot taking care of the country's de- fence and a leader ready to compromise.
And this is how many Ukrainians see him, which will also potentially improve his ratings in the presidential race a bit. It is really hard to say that he planned that incident in the Sea of Azov and overreacted with the martial law. (The Russians claim the incident was a deliberate provocation designed to improve Poroshenko’s poor ratings in the pre-election polls.)
With war already on our soil and Russians attacking us in the international waters, it would be much more dangerous not to react decisively. And, I may be too much of a realist political scientist here, but I see no crime if Poroshenko tries to use the situation to boost his rating.
Let’s be honest about it, this is how politics work and this is what most politicians would do in his place. Poroshenko is using the given opportunity and the main thing is that in this case, it doesn’t contradict the interests of the state.
Yet, he is being criticised exactly for this. Mostly by his political opponents and fans of the conspiracy theories on social media. This