These days we celebrate the 95th anniversary of the creation of the legendary Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. In the times of statelessness, it was the OUN that raised the banner of uncompromising struggle by its own forces against all enslavers, formulated the concept of liberation and state-building, and waged a decisive battle on all fronts in Ukraine and in forced emigration.
After 1991, the OUN influenced the ideology of state-building in Ukraine, created an ideological framework for the latest Ukrainian revolutions, and led to the creation of a public discourse of freedom.
We are talking with the Head of the Banderites OUN Oleh Medunitsa.
What is the reason for the aggression of the Moscow Region and what is the victory of Ukraine for the OUN?
– For the OUN, the current Russian-Ukrainian war did not come as a surprise, as its regularity stemmed from the entire history of relations between Ukraine and Russia, since the latter is an existential enemy of Ukraine, has a criminal political culture, and is also a socially incapable, aggressive state.
The answer to the question depends on what we mean by victory. In this series:
– preservation of Ukrainian statehood and restoration of territorial integrity;
– victory, as a movement towards the creation of the Ukrainian Independent United State, including the final collapse of the Russian Empire;
– elimination of any Russian influence in Ukraine;
– Ukraine should become an organic participant in the world security system, including membership in NATO and the European Community;
– the return of all prisoners and those forcibly deported;
-the return of all temporarily occupied territories;
– compensation for all incurred losses;
– well-deserved punishment for war criminals led by the Kremlin clique.
We must be ready for any development of events (in particular, victory is a process, not a one-time event: here some achievements are the consequence of previous ones and the basis for subsequent achievements).
– What tasks should the OUN ensure (promote them on the political agenda)?
1. Return of Ukrainians to Ukraine. According to various estimates, in connection with the war, about 7 million Ukrainians left the country’s borders, and about 3 million of them may not return. Also, at least 10 million Ukrainians live on the territory of the Russian Federation – and millions more people of Ukrainian origin in various countries of the world.
The depopulation of large Ukrainian territories after the end of the war due to destruction and genocide will require labour to rebuild and populate these lands in the relatively short term. The economic laws of the global world testify to the threat of an influx of migrants into Ukraine, from countries of the Global South who are indifferent to Ukrainian culture.
Therefore, the creation of a special policy and a state-funded programme for the return of Ukrainians to Ukraine should become the primary task of the renewed Ukrainian state. At the same time, we understand that no one can be forced or persuaded to return. The Ukrainian state should become an economically, politically and culturally developed country, attractive to those who would like to return.
2. Return of Ukrainian ethnic lands. This task grows out of the concept of USSD (congregationalism), but it cannot sound like just a slogan. When it comes to the collapse of Russia, Ukraine should not push away those of its ethnic territories that would like to escape from the chaos and return to the borders of our state. For this, a well-thought-out state policy must be implemented.
This is a big game in which we still have to become strong players.
– What is positive and what threats does the OUN see?
– Everything that affects the strengthening of the army, national unity and the preservation of Ukrainian lives: military and civilian, is positive. This should be remembered when making important decisions. This means that the principle “Ukraine above all!” is unifying for all those who fight and make other real efforts to preserve its independence and restore its territorial integrity. The slogan of the OUN “The state is above the party!”, which our party leaders should learn, is also relevant. Misunderstandings that occasionally arise between the military and political leadership are dangerous. We cannot close our eyes and not react to manifestations of corruption and the suppression of freedom of speech. Moscow is trying to provoke and stir up conflicts within the national body, and we must resolutely oppose this.
What needs to be done for this in Ukrainian social life?
– To bring together the “two” Ukraines so that only one remains: the one that fights and works for the front. The “other” Ukraine, which does not notice the war and does not understand what is happening and why, must disappear. It is also important that the national idea, the Ukrainian language acts as an unconditional cultural and political basis for understanding, unification and development of Ukrainian society in Ukraine.
The information front, especially at the international level, is of exceptional importance, as it affects both the understanding of the general picture of events in Ukraine among our allies, as well as in countries where Russia is still predominantly identified not as an invading empire, but as a “just” alternative to the unjust” West.
The development of the Anti-Imperial Block of Nations and the support of the nations inhabiting the Russian Federation in the struggle for their state independence are of great importance.
The mood in Ukrainian society, the adoption of important decisions by our international partners, and the formation of important political trends in the international arena depend on the achievements on the information front. The task of immediately mobilizing all possible resources and achieving victory does not override the principle of self-reliance.
Who are our political allies in the global world?
It is necessary to start the process of identifying those political forces abroad, primarily in the EU countries and around the world, which support the independence and integrity of Ukraine and advocate for the strengthening of the Euro-Atlantic community. These political forces may have different names and self-identifications. We need to contact and cooperate with those who understand Ukraine and help us in difficult times.
In this regard, we need to influence the indecision of our Western allies regarding the formation of a policy aimed at the necessity and inevitability of Russia’s defeat in this war. Today, mostly widespread rhetoric in the spirit of “we will be with you as long as necessary” (and how long is necessary?): “Russia must not win” (which actually means that it must lose!) and so forth.
In intra-Ukrainian and international communication, it is necessary to give more information about the ideology, brand and merits of the OUN, about the continuity of the struggle of Ukrainians for independence, to speak more about our understanding of nationalism, which should become contextual also in the international arena.
The Ukrainian state is still not proactive and even quite inert. Government actions are largely peacetime rather than wartime. Therefore, the OUN will show more leadership, build an initiative “from below”, cooperating with business, and the public sector, keeping in mind the upcoming elections, creating an inclusive space for veterans, and forming state policy for their support.
We sincerely congratulate you on the anniversary of the OUN, wish you success and victory, and thank you for the interesting conversation.
Serhii Veresen, UIS
Український погляд
