The persistent Neo-Nazi problem of Ukraine

An article by Mustafa K. Erdemol (writing for HalkTV)

One way or another, Russia’s occupation of Ukraine will eventually end. We have been writing a lot about why the war broke out, who paved the way to the Russian military operation. We will undoubtedly write more. But there is a topic that is not discussed, perhaps not deliberately addressed, that is okay, it may be considered inappropriate when the war is in full swing, but it must be talked about. I’m talking about the Neo-Nazi structuring in Ukraine, maybe it’s time to write. This is a structure approved and supported by the Ukrainian government. There are others who support it; the United States and Canada. This is a dirty game.

We should mention it in advance. Of course, I will not support Russia’s entry into Ukraine under the pretext of Neo-Nazi groups. I also don’t believe that any war “brings peace”, as the national-socialist thinks, or anything like that. It’s not about getting angry at Russia or Putin or defending them either. It’s a very deep, very sinister problem. I am afraid that those who have always supported, as well as those who are currently just not making a sound because of being anti-Russian, will soon understand what kind of trouble they are causing Europe.

An institutionalized structure

There is an institutionalized Neo-Nazi phenomenon in Ukraine, which has much more popular support than its counterparts in Europe. The most well-known of them is the Azov Battalion, which has a special place in more than 30 “volunteer battalions” supported by private capital, which has not been heard of anymore. This is an official institution. So there was no need to hide it. It is a unit of the National Guard of Ukraine. Of course, the fact that there is a threat to the Ukrainian progressive forces is a terrible situation, but it has an effect that crosses borders, which is even more unpleasant. Because the Azov Battalion is a serious source of inspiration for the “white supremacists” all over the world. In fact, Andriy Biletsky, the leader of this fascist group, founded in 2014 stated his goals in the following sentences: “To strengthen Ukraine to lead the White Races of the world who need one last crusade for their survival”. Don’t say, ”Let him say it, he can’t do it,” he will do it. Because the greatest inspiration of Neo-Nazis in various countries of the world is the Ukrainian Nazis.

Let’s not leave it at that, let’s see how he was an inspiration. Look, the Azov Battalion’s logo is inspired by Wolfsangel and Sonnenrad, which are described as Neo-Nazi symbols. These symbols of the Ukrainian group are heavily used by hate groups in different parts of the United States. The German magazine Lower Class Magazine of left tendency had put forward following; “the Azov Battalion has a semi-underground unit called the Misanthropic Division which makes Neo-Nazi-leaning young people members in France, Germany, Scandinavia. The new members are promised to conduct training in Ukrainian camps with heavy, modern weapons, including tanks.” Why are they recruiting people from other countries to Ukraine? Because they dream of re-establishing Ukraine as a white supremacist nation by taking large tracts of land from neighboring European countries.

These are ”Re-Conquerers” (with the mission/target of conquering again). The Nazis belonging to the Azov Battalion are constantly motivated by the “Reconquista” (conquering again) campaign, which aims to bring the nations of eastern Europe under the rule of a white supremacist dictatorship, inspired by the Nazi Reichskommissariat administration that controlled Ukraine during the Second World War. The situation is really serious.

The United States and Canada

And who is responsible for this Neo-Nazi rise in Ukraine? Who could be? The USA. Cooperation between the Azov Battalion and the American Army has become deeper over the years. In 2018, the Azov Battalion was trained by teams of American military advisers, the group was provided with US-made weapons. In November 2017, a US military delegation also visited the Azov Battalion to strengthen cooperation with the Ukrainian army, provide logistical support in military operations. When U.S. Senator Bob Mendez of the Democratic Party introduced a law requiring America to provide Ukraine with $500 million in weapons, it was a matter of debate that there was no mechanism to control whether these weapons fell into the hands of Neo-Nazi groups, especially the Azov Battalion.

Another supporting country is Canada. It is so supportive that a large number of Jewish institutions/organizations present in this country have expressed that the Canadian army also has a stake in the training of Neo-Nazis from Ukraine. The video of Nazi paratroopers arriving in Canada singing songs praising the Nazi collaborator, Ukrainian Stepan Bandera, who was blamed for the deaths of more than 100 thousand Jews and Poles, had also been the subject of criticism/ concern in the country.

Many Jewish organizations, including the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jews, Yad Vashem, and the World Jewish Congress, have condemned Kiev for legitimizing Nazi collaborators in society.

In other words, if anyone is angry at Putin for “using Neo-Nazis as an excuse” they are welcome to do so. But let us be informed about all above, too. Certainly however, it was not necessary to wage war on Ukraine. The effects of the strengthening of Neo-Nazis in Ukraine, will be enormous on Europe.

Of course, Israel is the most careful country in this regard and the one that knows best what the real danger is in Ukraine. And it is good it does so. The war will be over, the wounds will be healed. But if the Ukrainian Neo-Nazi movement, which has had the opportunity to strengthen in this turmoil covers all of Europe, then the suffering will begin again.

That won’t be good.

SOURCE: (Translated from )
halktv.com.tr/makale/ukraynanin-kalici-neo-nazi-sorunu-666970