By Schulzendorfer.de - Editorial team - Dec. 1, 2022

Diversity of opinion is important for democracy, even on the omnipresent topic of the Ukraine conflict. Following this principle, Der Schulzendorfer spoke to Ph.D. Tatjana Grabowitsch from Moscow about Russia, the West, and Ukraine. She is a lawyer, political scientist, and member of the Russian Bar Association. She is politically active in the United Russia party founded by Putin and Shoigu. She is the author of books on energy security.

In the West there is talk of a Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, in Russia, there is talk of a “special military operation”. What is the difference?

Tatyana Grabowitsch: When I hear the words “Russia invaded Ukraine,” it causes a wave of unease in me. No, Russia did not invade, Russia returned home and came to its territory to restore order there. Society is saturated with propaganda - with Russophobia, hatred, and Nazi ideology. The only possibility of their salvation is – LIBERATION, the ouster of the criminal regime of power, and liberation from external control by the West.

How do you come to the conclusion that Ukraine is part of Russia's territory?

Tatjana Grabowitsch: Over the centuries, Ukraine has not been a holistic and unified state with fixed borders. Individual regions of Ukraine were often parts of other countries: Rzeczpospolita (Poland-Lithuania), Ottoman Empire, Russian Empire, and Austria-Hungary. Ukraine does not have its own development history.

The biggest problem for Ukrainian historiography is the failure to include a whole range of “local history”, particularly of New Russia (meaning Russian-influenced areas in southeastern Ukraine – ed.) and Crimea, in the scheme of national history. Ukrainian history should not be understood only as the history of the national movement. As an independent state, Ukraine does not represent a homogeneous cultural-political unit.

The historical period in which Western Ukraine was in Western Europe is 700 years, the period in which Eastern Ukraine was in the geopolitical space of Russia is 300 years, and in Southern Ukraine, it is 200 years. As we see, Ukraine has always been an inseparable part of Russia.

Instead of erasing the history of the USSR, tearing down the monuments of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, and banning Russian culture and language, one should remember that the entire territory of today's Ukraine was entirely created by communist Russia and precisely that Russian (Soviet) Empire made the greatest contribution to the creation of Ukraine as a whole.

Shortly before and after the Great Patriotic War, Stalin annexed territories that formerly belonged to Poland, Romania, and Hungary to the USSR and handed them over to Ukraine. When assessing the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, it should be said that the inclusion of Western Ukraine into the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) was undoubtedly an event of historical significance, as the Ukrainians found themselves within the borders of one for the first time in many centuries state structure. In 1940, Galicia, Western Volyn, and Bukovina joined the Ukrainian Soviet Republic as ordinary oblasts (ed.)).

Transcarpathia became part of the USSR in accordance with a treaty concluded before the war between Stalin and the then President of Czechoslovakia, Benez. During the period of fascist occupation of the territory of Ukraine, the German occupying power returned to the borders, which largely coincided with the old borders of Austria-Hungary.

In the event of a German victory, Crimea was to be annexed to the Third Reich, Transcarpathia was to fall to Hungary and northern Bukovina to Romania; Odessa was to become Transnistria and also go to Romania. Ukraine was liberated by Soviet troops. Thus, contemporary Ukraine was entirely a child of the Soviet era.

The USA, the West, and Germany were once Russia's partners. Now the relationship is broken. What do Russia's partners have, what has Russia done wrong?

Tatjana Grabowitsch: The relationships are spoiled, that's true. But, we will continue to be partners as before. For example, in the first ten months of 2022, Russian exports to Germany increased in monetary terms by almost 30 percent to 30.2 billion euros. In terms of value, crude oil and gas imported from Russia rose by 20.3 percent to 16.6 billion euros.

Recently, Germany admitted that there is a possibility of a shortage of oil because of the sanctions. In addition, Germany could lose up to 500 billion euros annually due to the abrupt cessation of imports of Russian gas. Abandoning energy sources from Russia could cause a recession similar to the one experienced by the Germans after World War II. Do the Germans want that themselves? Has anyone asked people about this?

The sanctions primarily harm Europeans. Because relations have not been spoiled because of Russia's fault. As before, Russia continues to be a country that is open and friendly to all its partners. The so-called “civilized collective West” has taken all measures to aggravate relations with Russia, in other words, to spoil these relations.

Unfortunately, this has grown into a huge problem, a systemic crisis for all of humanity. Above all, people were confronted with global economic and humanitarian problems. We have forgotten more important problems, such as climate change, the destruction of the ecological balance, and the fight against terrorism. It is not possible to simply erase Russia from the world map.

You have to respect Russia and you have to reckon with Russia. In this world, we all depend on each other. We all live in a multipolar world. And multipolarity is the only chance for Europe to restore its status as an economic and political entity. The new world order must be based on law and order and be free, original, and fair.

What consequences of the West's sanctions policy against Russia are being felt in the country, especially among low-income earners?

Tatjana Grabowitsch: In the West people thought that sanctions could ruin Russia's economy. But that didn't work. Despite the sanctions, Russia's revenue from energy exports is only growing. Russia is increasingly replenishing its treasury through exports because prices for oil, natural gas, and coal are rising. However, it is not only the increase in fuel prices that affects the country's income. The Russian budget surplus was half a trillion rubles in May alone, almost four times as much as in May of the previous year.

As for our citizens of Russia, people continue to live their lives as they had lived them: they go to work, get their wages, save money for vacations, and make plans for the future. We are a big country with many nationalities! We are a major energy power; our country has oil, natural gas, and all-natural resources.

And anyway, we have everything and can make everything ourselves! We are a unique country. And most importantly, unique and strong people live in our country, people with a “Russian soul”. And the West can never understand this “Russian soul”. We cannot be broken, we cannot be intimidated. We are Russians – God is with us.

Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, Russian and Ukrainian women, men, and children die in the conflict every day. Russian and Ukrainian infrastructure is being destroyed. Isn't it time to end the death, suffering, rubble, and ashes on both sides? Why doesn't this work?

Tatyana Grabowitsch: Why doesn't this work? Let's put an end to this. We are for it. But that will only happen if the West and the USA stop supplying Ukraine with weapons. Since the end of February 2022 alone, the US has delivered 236 artillery systems, 142 155mm M777A2 howitzers, and 36 105mm howitzers to Ukraine.

In addition, 38 systems of reactive multiple rocket launchers HIMARS and 20 120-mm mine launchers were delivered. Kyiv also received more than a million artillery shells, 108,500 portable anti-tank missiles, 1,400 portable anti-aircraft missile systems, 15 helicopters, 46 radars, 10,200 assault rifles, and pistols, more than 70 million firearm cartridges, and 26 patrol boats. A total of 88,000 tons of weapons and military technology were delivered to Ukraine.

The total amount of American military aid to Ukraine reached $21.5 billion in the period starting at the end of February alone! Can you even imagine how many weapons and how much money have been pumped into Ukraine in the last eight years? Why did the West supply Ukraine with weapons for eight long years? What have you prepared for? We know it. Because the main goal of all this is the weakening of Russia, the destruction of Russia.

Recently you asked God for a quick victory for the “special military operation”. What will Ukraine look like after such a quick victory?

Tatjana Grabowitsch: I asked the Lord God for a victory as quickly as possible, for peace on the Russian soil, to admonish those of our brothers who, driven by another, dark force of violence, are, among other things, involved in the division of the body of the unified Russian Orthodox church work.

I asked for peace for all of us. Because what is happening now is a great tragedy, a fratricidal civil war.

In 1993, Russia had already lived through all of this, Russia was on the verge of civil war when two worlds collided: the pro-Western liberal leadership with Yeltsin at the helm and the disappointed people. All the events that took place in Russia at that time were well-directed in the West.

Particularly with the help of the West, separatism began to gain momentum in Chechnya and other regions. They have planted Russophobia by all possible means, distorted Russian history, and tried to deprive Russians of their soil, Orthodox faith, and traditions. Now exactly the same thing is happening, everything is repeating itself.

For example, in the 2000s, the West openly supported the “terror nest” in the Russian North Caucasus. The West not only supported the terrorists in Russia but also raised them. Now exactly the same thing is happening in Ukraine. Neo-Nazis have come to power under democracy slogans, open destroyers of the country's sovereignty. We are not talking about any national interests of Ukraine, they have sold all of their interests for big money.

The common people were deceived and possessed. And only Russia can put an end to this. Because Ukraine – this is our territory, these are our people. We are one people. The willingness to fight for our people leads to a great unification of our society. This has always been a great strength of our country. Strength in spirituality, strength in faith, strength in words – “We will not abandon ours”.

Assuming you were Germany's foreign minister, how would you deal with Russia and the Ukraine issue and what measures would you take?

Tatjana Grabowitsch: In this relationship, I would primarily behave with respect towards Russia, I would take Russia seriously. One cannot speak to the country through the path of strength, intimidation, and blackmail, but only through the path of diplomacy and mutual respect.

The public responded to the interview: “The West and the USA must stop supplying weapons to Ukraine.”

Excellent response to an interview from someone WHO KNOWS the real, provable history of the areas. USA, Europe, and NATO are throwing petrol on the fire at the fictitious pleas from Zelenskyy, their Jewish meat grinder of the Ukrainian people, hitherto 1.000.000 dead, visiting world leaders in military attire which has never seen the battlefront.