speak of , and his members of Parliament either cowed or corrupt , Yanukovich set about the systematic financial rape of the country . In two years he allegedly stole $ 32 billion whilst his son made the journey from being an unknown dentist to major banker in just one year . As the country ’ s state revenue was $ 31 billion the enormity of his crimes became apparent . His family and friends were installed in all the main positions of power . State security , police , army , Tax administration even the National bank . In Belarus and Russia , in the Central Asian countries , this was not particularly frowned upon . Their countries and governments are run the same way ; personal enrichment at the expense of the people . But note – Georgia was an exception . And in Georgia there was a war . Meantime , for Yanukovich , greed began his downfall . He started to steal companies and cash from the gangsters and oligarchs . They became restive . For the people there seemed little relief or way of change . There was no rule of law , bribery rife . Companies were raided by men in ski masks carrying Kalashnikovs . Computers removed , tax infractions discovered or created and the offer of jail or sale of the company for a pittance .
The previous President and Prime Minister had long sought membership of the EU . The people of Ukraine saw membership as an economic advantage , but more importantly the introduction of the rule of law and an end to corruption . Yanukovich took the people down this path for a year ; the EU was just around the corner . People stayed calm waiting for the Agreement to be signed . At the same time , with economy in dire straits , Ukraine needed massive loans to avoid a complete crash and EU was guaranteeing help if Ukraine would sign the Association Agreement . For Yanukovich personally the choice was the EU , or Russia with love . A loan from the EU would start the path to membership and rule of law . One from Russia meant business as usual . He chose Russia and signed a deal for five billion dollars . Students protested and were badly beaten by the police force . That was the final straw . The nation went back to the streets .
They massed once more in Maidan and all across the country . I stood with them , in temperatures of -32 ° C whilst they built a tent city manned by the same grandmothers , mothers and fathers , farmers from the countryside , industrial workers , IT experts , students . It was called the revolution of Dignity . The people wanted an end to the corruption . They wanted a normal fearfree life . They wanted membership of the EU . Under pressure from the man who feared revolution in his own country and had promised to lend him money , Yanukovich allegedly ordered the shooting of his own people as they protested peacefully in Maidan . It had been peaceful . I was there to see it . The oligarchs and gangsters were not oblivious to the disturbance and saw their chance . They stopped supporting Yanukovich and let him run . He took his $ 32 billion and fled , not surprisingly to Russia where he lives still . Safe from the international arrest warrants subsequently issued .
And with his exit Mr Putin lost his hold on the country of Ukraine . He saw the EU step into the power vacuum , welcomed by the people . And along with the EU at his doorstep came the threat of NATO expansion . Rule of law was not and is not welcome in Russia . The economy is pinned to gas and oil . Power is pinned to gas , oil and corruption . A state asset privatised by an oligarch or two , their lives and allegiance to their President . You know already where this is going and the reason for the war . Leaders of all countries need an enemy to blame . Mr Putin , threatened by real democracy , stripped of influence and control of ‘ his ’ buffer state needed an enemy to blame and an excuse to get started . He found two . He protested the ousting of Yanukovich and subsequent election of new President and Parliament as illegal . And he said the new Ukrainian government had made Russian an illegal language . So he had to protect the Russian speakers of Ukraine . The men in unmarked green uniforms mobilised . First to Crimea and then to the industrial heart of Ukraine , Donbass , where strangely enough , Mr Yanukovich had his power base . And the killing and murder and mayhem began and continues . I sit here now , thinking of greed , the men who authorise killings to protect themselves personally , not necessarily the good of the nation . I am thinking and writing in this café on Kreshatyk , the main thoroughfare in the city , just one hundred metres from Maidan where one hundred heroes died for the rule of law and democracy . And how two languages , spoken by all , were given as the excuse for the ongoing death of thousands and the movement of millions . I sit , remember and write . There are tears in my eyes . DM
Aboard varying bikes Mansfield has visited Ukraine numerous times . This piece , Two Languages As An Excuse For War , is an exert from his Tales From The Road Vol . IV , a collection of observations that often have you wide eyed .
Mansfield ' s Notes From The Road Vol . III & IV can be found at derekmansfield . com
Assistance can be given to Ukrainian refugees reaching Poland by assisting Aga Wiklo raise funds for simple day to day needs by visiting her Whip Around site - zrzutka . pl / en / 2dz6ux
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