Tuesday 19 March 2024 | 02:33

Uladzimir Matskevich: I'm afraid that Nadzeya Savchenko was too fast with her presidential ambitions

01.06.2016  |  In the World   |  Aliaksei Jurych,  EuroBelarus
Uladzimir Matskevich: I

Savchenko’s attempts to oppose Poroshenko right now, not at the forthcoming elections, will only be beneficial for Kremlin.

What political future awaits Ukrainian pilot Nadzeya Savchenko, who has returned from Russian captivity? Will she have enough will powerto go through fire and water with dignity? Are the concerns that Kremlin could use Savchenko for further destabilize of the situation in Ukraine justified?

Philosopher and methodologist Uladzimir Matskevich answers the questions of the "EuroBelarus” Information Service.

- After a two-year captivity in Russia Ukrainian pilot Nadzeya Savchenko returned home as a Hero of Ukraine and a politician. Will Nadzeya Savchenko be able to go through fire and water with dignity?

- Savchenko demonstrated her best qualities in the Russian prison. Going through fire and water is the hardest test of all these, and I wish she would be able to go through them just the same. History knows many examples when fame and popularity had bad influence on people.

- Psychologists say that Nadzeya Savchenko needs serious and long-term rehabilitation after captivity. In your opinion, will she take a “sick-leave” or will she immediately rush into a fight, risking the authority she earned in captivity?

- As a former psychologist, who has been practicing in his youth, I share the fears of experts as even non-professionals can notice that Nadzeya Savchenko is somewhat exalted, though in her position this state is quite understandable. Moreover, it is her emotional state and excitement that helped her to endure all prison ordeals. But a strong excitement is followed by lack of energy and decreased vitality – one needs to get out of this state. And rehabilitation takes time: it is necessary to calm down, look at the changed situation, and understand how Ukraine changed over the two years.

It is the attempts to involve Savchenko in political games and use her that worry me. It's too dangerous a game for both Nadzeya Savchenko and Ukraine.

- What hopes does the Ukrainian society connect with Savchenko?

- There are very different views on the role and place of Savchenko in the Ukrainian society: some admire her and praise her, others are skeptical about her prospects, and some suspect that she may be manipulated by the shadow oligarchic powers.

- Nadzeya Savchenko has already declared her presidential ambitions. Is the recent prisoner capable of becoming an anti-Poroshenko?

- I am very skeptical about the political future of the national heroes. I'm afraid that Nadzeya Savchenko was too fast with her presidential ambitions and made this statement in a temper. It’s very undesirable for her to immediately jump from prison to the upper echelons of political life. The attempts to promote Savchenko as an alternative to Poroshenko right now, all the more as his opponent, who is capable to replace him as Ukraine president or become a reason for his persecution, implies a very bad scenario for Ukraine. However, Savchenko’s participation in a normal political process is the lesser of two evils; one can even understand her political ambitions if they are aimed at the future – at the presidential elections.

- Many experts express concern that Kremlin might use Savchenko as a tool for further destabilization of the situation in Ukraine. Is Savchenko a FSS’ project and how big is the probability of its realization?

- Savchenko cannot be a FSS’ project on her own; I think that the Moscow political technologists of the third generation could easily develop "Savchenko’s project": keep her behind bars, let journalists come to her, expand her popularity in Ukraine, and later use her for their own purposes. Kremlin won’t miss this opportunity and will be trying to do it.

Politics doesn’t stand exaltation and romanticism: if a politician doesn’t retain a share of pragmatism and cynicism, it’s a naive politician. I hope that the Ukrainian society is clever enough not to fall for populism. After all, Savchenko is not Poroshenko’s opponent: her popularity and public trust might be higher than the rate of the incumbent president; however, her political weight and political wisdom can hardly side with her fervor and radical-romantic aspirations.

Savchenko’s attempts to oppose Poroshenko right now, not at the forthcoming elections, will only be beneficial for Kremlin. I think Moscow bases its strategy on that.

- Is Savchenko’s release a turning point in the war or a significant event?

- It is unlikely that Savchenko’s release can be considered a turning point in the war, but there’s no doubt it’s a landmark. Both international pressure, the enthusiasm of the Ukrainian nation, and irritation of the sensible, though scarce, part of the Russian society resulted in Savchenko’s liberation. Putin was well aware that sooner or later Savchenko would still have to be released. But Kremlin had to choose a convenient time for her release. Personally, I don’t have enough information to make a univocal conclusion as to who benefits from Savchenko’s exemption now. It seems that her release wasn’t initiated by Kremlin. And though Moscow is losing tactically, it will try to take revenge.

Other news section «In the World»

Uladzimir Matskevich: Trump has a sword of Damocles hanging above his head
Uladzimir Matskevich: Trump has a sword of Damocles hanging above his head
The hacking scandal is directed against Trump and sows doubts in the legitimacy of his victory.
Cultural heritage as a key to civic participation. CHOICE project in Ukraine
Cultural heritage as a key to civic participation. CHOICE project in Ukraine
Within the activities of the EU-funded CHOICE, Ihor Savcha, Centre for Cultural Management, visited Albertyna Buchynska and Roman Tarnavsky, Coordinators of the activities in Boryslav (Ukraine).
Hovsep Khurshudyan: Release of political prisoners is the main task of the civil society
Hovsep Khurshudyan: Release of political prisoners is the main task of the civil society
Dozens of activists remain in Armenian prisons, the police carries out political orders of the ruling elite, stresses a representative of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum released on bail.
Uladzimir Matskevich: Crimean provocation only drew attention to the relocations of Russian troops
Uladzimir Matskevich: Crimean provocation only drew attention to the relocations of Russian troops
Russia has no opportunities, i.e., no intent to unleash a full-scale war against Ukraine; but the destabilization of the situation in the country remains one of its main goals.
Vladimir Fesenko: If Russia was looking for an excuse, the war with Ukraine would have already begun
Vladimir Fesenko: If Russia was looking for an excuse, the war with Ukraine would have already begun
Ukraine doesn’t want to force a conflict; Kyiv and the West will most likely try to neutralize the current aggravation of Russian-Ukrainian relations.
Lithuania: Belarusian airplane violated the Lithuanian airspace
Lithuania: Belarusian airplane violated the Lithuanian airspace
Lithuania claims that the Belarusian airplane has violated its airspace.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister: Belarus won’t be able to sell electric power from the dangerous NPP
Lithuanian Foreign Minister: Belarus won’t be able to sell electric power from the dangerous NPP
Minsk should not deceive itself with hopes for joint operation the would-be Belarusian nuclear power plant in Astravets, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said on Friday.
Uladzimir Matskevich: The situation in Armenia is as tense as it can be
Uladzimir Matskevich: The situation in Armenia is as tense as it can be
The revolt – social explosion – in Armenia is quite possible; however, it is not Sasna Tsrer actions that will work as a detonator.
Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan: Nomenclature games can lead to sharp change of political situation in Armenia
Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan: Nomenclature games can lead to sharp change of political situation in Armenia
The confrontation of several forces in Yerevan is a no-win, and tends to worsen, the head of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation, the publicist Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan says.
Hovsep Khurshudyan: Sasna Tsrer group isn’t terrorist, but a response to the political mayhem of the state
Hovsep Khurshudyan: Sasna Tsrer group isn’t terrorist, but a response to the political mayhem of the state
On July 17, an armed group seized the building of the Patrol-Guard Service Regiment in Erebuni district of Yerevan. First National Security Service reported about "an armed group", then – "terrorists"
Attack in Nice: At least 84 people killed on a national holiday – Bastille Day
Attack in Nice: At least 84 people killed on a national holiday – Bastille Day
In Nice, at about 10.30 pm yesterday local time a truck slammed into a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day and barrelled about 2 km.
EU extends sanctions against Russia for another 6 months at the least
Russia removed food embargo against Western countries
Russia removed food embargo against Western countries
The import of poultry meat, beef and vegetables, which are used for the production of baby food, is now allowed.
EHU Senate demands to immediately withdraw David Pollick and A. Lonsdale
EHU Senate demands to immediately withdraw David Pollick and A. Lonsdale
Following its meeting on May 25, the Senate of the European Humanities University (EHU) has approved the following Statement.
Uladzimir Matskevich: I
Uladzimir Matskevich: I'm afraid that Nadzeya Savchenko was too fast with her presidential ambitions
Savchenko’s attempts to oppose Poroshenko right now, not at the forthcoming elections, will only be beneficial for Kremlin.
Sergey Datsyuk: Savchenko is a Ukrainian Joan of Arc, capable of leading people
Sergey Datsyuk: Savchenko is a Ukrainian Joan of Arc, capable of leading people
Society attributes the role of a troublemaker to Savchenko, who won’t let the country stay oligarchical and calm.
European Commission allocates EUR 550 mln for Chernobyl projects
European Commission allocates EUR 550 mln for Chernobyl projects
This year we commemorate 30 years from the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Belarus rather risks its relations with Armenia than supports Russia’s growing role in the region
Belarus rather risks its relations with Armenia than supports Russia’s growing role in the region
About two weeks ago, on April 2, intensive clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh happened. Belarus’ reaction to it left Armenia deeply bewildered.
Lithuanian border guards intend to detain illegal migrants on the border with Belarus
Lithuanian border guards intend to detain illegal migrants on the border with Belarus
On April 12-13, Lithuanian border guards are holding a tactical exercise on the border with Belarus. The game is aimed at improving the staff skills to detaining illegal migrants.
Uladzimir Matskevich: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict today is of no use either to Armenia or Azerbaijan
Uladzimir Matskevich: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict today is of no use either to Armenia or Azerbaijan
By participating in all military and economic blocks with Russia, the Belarusian regime is trying to build the image of a neutral country and a peacemaker.
Gintautas Mažeikis: The relation of political field and arena in the framework of information war

In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.

“It is our big joint work”

It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.

Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf

Minsk’s muddled media clampdown could jeopardize warming of relations with the West.

Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool

To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.