“Both western states and Russia treat Ukraine and Crimea in a patronizing way and seem to expect that a country with the rich culture and history of Ukraine would be able to choose between the east and the west. Ukraine and the Crimea are unavoidably part both of the east and of the west. This region is characterized by great diversity with regard to languages, minorities, and historic and human contacts to all directions. We cannot put an ultimatum of the sort “if you are not with us, then you are against us” to such societies. All parties should accept the idea of plurality and of multiple identities and develop humanistic strategies that can handle such situations and deepen a true democratic process.”
