The last drops of "rain"

On the ban on broadcasting of an independent channel in Ukraine and how to continue to live apart

Ukraine banned the broadcasting of the Rain TV channel for a formal violation of legislation - a positive image of representatives of Russian law enforcement agencies. This scandal immediately tried to use for their purposes those citizens who, within three years before, incited the conflict between our countries. It is precisely those who dream of the destruction of Ukraine, and the destruction of “rain”, and in general, all forms of life, which differ in their exterior from Prokhanov and Dugin, are most concerned about the situation with freedom of speech in a neighboring country.

“Rain” should not be prohibited - his work in Ukraine definitely did not contradict Ukrainian national interests in any way. The rain that works from Moscow, of course, fulfills Russian laws, shows the relevant cards (with Crimea in Russia) and sometimes talks about the life of Russian security forces. But none of the spectators of the “rain” in Kyiv, perhaps, had no doubt that they were, firstly, the Russian channel, and secondly, a channel that took a sequentially anti-war position.

For Ukraine, the existence of “rain” is objectively beneficial, as well as the existence of all Russian supporters of peaceful coexistence and compliance with international agreements between countries. Russian-Ukrainian cultural and educational projects are now very needed-nevertheless, in any case, we will continue to be neighbors, the Great Ocean will not begin to the east of Kharkov. True, almost no one in both countries knows how to do such projects - too much mutual hatred was accumulated.

The tragedy of our current situation lies in the fact that Russia is generally considered by Ukrainians as a hostile and aggressive country. The question of whether you are a good person and what political views you have are in the background. There are also objective reasons for this: the Russians received Crimea and a little national greatness, but lost Ukraine. It is worth admitting this-quite a lot has passed the time from the start of our geopolitical successes to summarize some results.

There are three simple facts. First: Ukraine is a separate, another country. Second: this country in the foreseeable future will never focus on Moscow when making political decisions. Third: part of the Ukrainian territory is not controlled by Kiev, and Ukraine considers itself a warring power and accepts the relevant rules. Enough to be surprised at this - the sweet colonial Ukraine, where you loved to relax in the summer, will no longer be. From these three facts and in particular the issue of the status of Crimea it follows that it is not possible to fulfill Russian and Ukrainian laws at the same time and work in both countries. You need to choose how to draw cards. And all this was by no means done by the hands of Ukrainians.

The story of the rain in Kyiv can still - let's hope for it - it will safely be resolved. It is much more difficult to imagine the prospects of Russian-Ukrainian relations in general. How will we live in the same eastern Europe together in 5 or 10 years, having Crimea and the experience of war in hand? Apparently, the return path to friendly coexistence, if possible, will be long and complex. It would be nice to understand this now and not to build unnecessary illusions.

And it would be nice to all fighters for freedom of speech in Ukraine, sitting on Moscow sofas, just as actively fight for this constitutional law within their own country. The media should not be closed either in Ukraine or in Russia. But let the Ukrainians solve their problems, and we will deal with our own. This is the best that we can do right now, in the era, when the geopolitical greatness begins to let us go a little.