Why "what's the difference" rears its head in a country at war

It was provoked by singer Serhiy Babkin, who recorded and posted on his YouTube channel a track with the telling title Zrada (Betrayal). The song's content boils down to the platitudes that Ukrainians have been hearing for nine years after the Revolution of Dignity and, consequently, the Russian invasion: that everything is not so clear. This slogan was indirectly used during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's election campaign, and the newly elected president himself said in his 2020 New Year's speech something that was actually the core of his policy: "what difference does it make.”

It is better to quote here: "Who am I? A resident of Frankivsk who defends his native language - or a resident of Kramatorsk who speaks his native Russian? Someone who has learned the Ukrainian language or someone who does not want to do so? Who says “I love you” in Ukrainian or in Russian? Someone convinced us that our differences matter. It doesn't matter by which monument you are waiting for the girl you are in love with. It doesn't matter what the name of the street is, as long as it is bright and paved."

Two years and fifty-five days later, Russian bombs made it clear that there is a difference. The realization came too late. And some people still don't understand it.

The artist Babkin criticizes Ukrainians for their so-called "betrayalphilia.” In fact, he set to music the aforementioned New Year's speech by Zelenskyy. However, at that time, the latter had been a politician and head of a state at war for six months. Although he remained an actor. This approach may appeal to external audiences but is less well-received domestically. This is evident in a controversial opinion poll that indicates 78% of Ukrainians believe Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a president is responsible for corruption. Consequently, emotionally charged evening "video addresses" are losing their impact among the public.

Conspiracy theorists must now promote a new narrative. The head of a nation at war can no longer ethically endorse the same ideas as two years ago. However, proponents of the "what's the difference" mentality still exist, and they share ideological affinities with the current government.

“The trouble is that the large-scale Russian aggression, daily shelling and destruction, and the daily deaths of adults and children have marginalized this stratum of society. Since "what difference does it make" is a component of the "Russian world" that is cozy for the bearers of this philosophy, the "Russian world" itself is becoming marginalized. A little more time and it will be on the verge of extinction and on the verge of survival in Ukraine.”

Now I would like your attention. Our war with Russia is a war for survival and preservation of Ukrainian identity. That is why active, conscious, nationally oriented citizens are resisting attempts to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians to the best of their ability. And increasingly, they are moving from defense to offense, attacking on all fronts of de-Russification, de-Sovietization, and decolonization. But the adherents of "what’s the difference" do not want to be destroyed either! They are also ready to defend their own identity! Therefore, the "Russian world" inside the country also resists the Ukrainian world. And - attention, conspiracy theorists! - these powers have been unofficially delegated to the apologists of "what's the difference" by the head of state personally, secretly.

In fact, Ukraine is at war on two fronts: with the outright occupier and those who play along with the occupiers. In this context, MP Mykola Kniazhytskyi quotes a resident of a Prykarpattia village who believes that even a victory at the front will not end the war as long as the Russian church and values dominate Ukraine. She adds: "the 'Russian world' inside the country at war with it still remains intact.

“The infamous song by Serhiy Babkin is a recent example of this. It devalues de-Russification and decolonization, stating, for example, that Ukrainian children have the right to watch Russian cartoons and scolding their parents for this is a sin. Or he stoops to a peculiarly Russian equation between Ukrainians and lard: not eating lard is a betrayal. It's also not even been six months since a fellow rapper Potap received a huge wave of righteous anger for a similar music video.”

The impunity of the leaders of the "Russian world" for "what’s the difference" cannot be called anything other than tacit support from the authorities. However, I would not rush to agree with this conspiracy theory. This can only be partially true. In particular, such narratives are quite capable of being promoted to millions by the United News telethon, whose control by the authorities is beyond doubt. However, people like Babkin, Potap, or Arestovych, who openly devalues Ukrainians and promotes the "Russian world" on all available platforms, are hardly controlled or sponsored by the authorities. They have a different trick: everyone proves the right to have and disseminate their own opinion. Different from the opinion of those who call everything Russian toxic and harmful to Ukraine's development.

Inna Sovsun, a member of the Voice party, recently posted a post on her Facebook page outraged that doctors insisted on speaking Russian to her son. Here is the quote: "And it was not the first time I had to make remarks about speaking Russian with Martyn. The karting instructor explained where the brake was in Russian. And then I had to explain to the instructor the basics of the law on language. This is not an exhaustive list of stories, unfortunately." Almost at the same time, a similar post was posted by Yaryna Chornohuz, a soldier and volunteer who has been defending Ukraine with arms since the Anti-Terrorist Operation: her classmates in Kyiv disdainfully call her "a true Ukrainian." And on the first day of Kyiv BookFest, which took place on September 8-10, vigilant visitors found and photographed Russian-language books at several stands. The next day, the organizers fixed the problem-but only at one site. The problem remained, and it goes far beyond the traditionally acute language issue.

“It is about worldview. An embroidered shirt, a photo with Kobzar in hand, and quotes from Franko's The Stonemasons are often weapons in the hands of the so-called "repainted" and "changed". The fact that they have recently stopped hiding and are coming out means that they are tired of the need to constantly hide and lie to themselves. It is believed that the pro-Ukrainian part of society is more tired. This in itself is a sad fact: we still have to recognize the existence of pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian communities within a country at war with Russia.”

However, there are Russophiles, without exaggeration, all over the world. What makes them different from our "what’s the difference" is that in Europe, the United States, Latin America, Asia, and the Global South, they love Russia and Russian for money. As soon as they stop getting paid, they will cool off towards Russia, with a few exceptions. Instead, our homegrown Russophiles love the aggressor state for free and truly sincerely. Therefore, they become useful idiots for Russia. Of course, except for those who aim Russian missiles at civilian objects. But who says that one day the representatives of "what's the difference" won't announce their tariffs to the Russians...

Exclusively for Espreso.

About the author: Andriy Kokotyukha, writer, screenwriter.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.