Ex-President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma published the book “Ukraine is not Russia. Twenty years later.”
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The first edition of the work was published in September 2003. Then the author wanted to use specific historical examples to explain, first of all, to the Russians why they should not interfere in the affairs of Ukraine. The new edition “does not try to explain anything to strangers”; it is “for the Ukrainian reader, for our own people.”
Kuchma decided to write this book on January 14, 2023 – then a Russian missile hit a residential building in the Dnieper, and in the ashes, rescuers found a mutilated book “Ukraine is not Russia.”
The printed edition is intended for defense forces, libraries and universities. The electronic version will be freely available.
20 years ago, I wanted to explain, using examples that Russians could understand, why we are different nations, why Ukraine is not Russia. Why should they leave us alone if they are not capable of equal relationships, of friendship. But the shameful joy with which the majority of Russians perceived Putin’s invasion showed that it was in vain that I tried to explain something to them then. All the kind words about Russia that were once spoken were burned, burned out by Russia itself,” the author of the presentation emphasized.
According to Kuchma, the decision to write a new book arose after a Russian missile hit a high-rise building in the Dnieper in January of this year, and in a photograph from the scene of the attack he saw a burnt book “Ukraine is not Russia.”
In the published book, Kuchma shares his views on the events of the twentieth century and recent years.
20 years ago I was finishing a book with hope. Yes, I said, Ukraine is not Russia. But two states can live like good neighbors, not just not fighting, but also making each other stronger. 20 years ago I had warm feelings in both countries. Today, I feel boundless pride for Ukraine and boundless anger at Russia,” Kuchma wrote.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.