Part 2 - Q&A with Professor of Russian Victoria Somoff

JS: To clarify, does Yanukovych and his government have a history of being pro-Russian or was his switch of association agreements out of the blue?

VS: Yes, he comes from the Eastern part of the Ukraine. His main support comes from the South and East. He actually comes from the same town as me, the city of Donetsk. The other day I was listening to Vermont Public Radio and it was reporting on Donetsk, which is Yanukovych’s home town and it happens to be my home town. It was the first time since I moved here that my city was on the news. They said “Donetsk,” and I said, “Oh wow. Donetsk.” 

JS: Did you ever meet him personally in Donetsk?

VS: No, no. We moved in different circles. But it is his base of support and he was elected as President. There was some discussion as to how fair the election was but there was an agreement that he did win, that he does have the support of Ukraine. But there was the hope that even though he represents Russian speakers or Russians or the Southeast of Ukraine, he would listen to other voices and he would move the country in the right direction. But his rejection to sign the agreement and to enter negotiations with Putin clearly indicated that he was not going to do that. Then people stopped giving him credit or expecting something different from him. 

JS: So all the issues today you think are more about removing Yanukovych from power than it is about the agreement with Russia?

VS: Yes, it’s about removing Yanukovych. And now Russia insists that Yanukovych is the legitimate president. It’s still about moving away from Russia but less about the agreement or documents that need to be signed.