Andreas Umland: Alexander Dugin strengthens ties with Ukraine

On September 26, 2006, an article by Candidate of Historical Sciences Andreas Umland, who specializes in studying right-wing radical movements in Russia, "Vitrenko's Fascist Friend" was published on the Ukrainska Pravda portal. This review and educational article examines the connections of the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine Natalia Vitrenko with one of the main right-wing radical ideologists of Russia Alexander Dugin and his International "Eurasian Movement", whose leadership includes Vitrenko, as well as the former leader of the Ultranationalist Ukrainian organization UNA-UNSO Dmytro Korchinsky.

The author considers the features of the ideology and rhetoric of A. Dugin and N. Vitrenko, indicating their points of contact and divergence.

A. Umland emphasizes the originality of A. Dugin among the so-called "Russian fascists": the leader of "Eurasia" draws the sources of "inspiration" from the works of Junger, Nikish or Evola, while he himself constantly emphasizes his sympathies for the Old Believers, is a sought-after "political scientist", a participant in quite respectable television programs and discussions, favored by high-ranking officials of the Russian government.

At the same time, A. Dugin’s views on the fate of Ukraine are such that N. Vitrenko’s alliance with him looks very strange (A. Dugin is an open opponent of Ukrainian sovereignty), but it allows legitimizing the leader of the “Eurasians” not only in the eyes of the Russian, but also in the eyes of the Ukrainian political elite.

It should be noted that although Ukraine is not included in the scope of research of our center, we considered it necessary to note this article, since, firstly, most of it is devoted to A. Dugin, and secondly, right-wing radical groups in Russia seek not only to establish contacts with like-minded people in Ukraine , but also to extend its influence to Ukrainian territory, and, thirdly, the N. Vitrenko bloc in the last elections was considered by Russian official propaganda as one of the few pro-Russian movements, and, accordingly, worthy of Russian support of movements, and Dmytro Korchinsky is a quite demanded "political scientist "in the near-Kremlin youth movements - "Ours" and "Eurasian Union of Youth".

Sources

• Umland Andreas. Fascist friend of Vitrenko // Ukrainian truth. 2006. September 26.