Let’s be clear. Nationalism has generally failed as a political strategy in Ukraine. In contradiction to the claims of Russian propaganda, Ukraine is not a country controlled by a neo-Nazi junta and ethno-nationalism holds little appeal for most Ukrainian voters.
In the May 2014 presidential election, Ukraine’s two nationalist candidates — Dmytro Yarosh from Right Sector and Oleh Tyahnybok from the Svoboda party — received roughly two percent of the vote combined. In the October 2014 parliamentary elections, neither Right Sector nor Svoboda received the five percent necessary to enter parliament by party list, only winning several seats in the single-mandate districts. Nationalists’ visibility during the EuroMaidan Revolution and in the war in Donbas did not translate into electoral victories.
Now nationalism appears to be on the rise again. But don’t blame the people of Ukraine. Blame the country’s leadership and political class, which has failed to deliver on the promises it made in 2014.
The dangerous growth of ultra-nationalist groups is a direct response the failure of the Ukrainian authorities to enforce the law, both to punish crimes and protect rights. A rash of fatal car crashes involving rich and well-connected youth undermine faith in law enforcement. The discovery that an ex-separatist fighter is living freely on bail in Kyiv makes the justice system appear weak and corrupt.
Meanwhile, the failure of law enforcement to bring aggressive nationalists to justice for their attacks on women, LGBTQ people, and Roma creates an environment of permissiveness for right-wing violence.
Nationalists promise to bring law and order to a country where the law often favors the rich, powerful, and well-connected (as some nationalist activists are). To defeat nationalism, the Ukrainian government must, in word and indeed, demonstrate that no one is above the law.
That means wealthy drunk drivers and separatists. But it also means nationalist paramilitaries that wish to supplant the work of the police and activists who dare to impinge upon the rights of minorities.
Should nationalists succeed in 2019, don’t credit nationalist political parties for thoughtful platforms, persistent campaigning, and strong political ads. Blame Ukraine’s “mainstream” political leaders for failing to offer what the public needs.
