Preventive protest sets redlines for Zelenskiy

UKRAINE - In Brief 06 Oct 2019 by Dmytro Boyarchuk

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Today more than 10 thnd people gathered at Maydan Nezalezhnosty, the central square of the country, to protest against ‘Steinmeier formula’ that President Zelenskiy officially accepted. It’s appeared to be the largest public protest since the Revolution of Dignity in 2013. Andrey Bohdan, Chief of Staff of the President Office wrote on his Facebook page the protest was artificial and people gathered for money. But social nets are flooded with enthusiastic feedbacks of real participants who are encouraged to see so many people ready to rise. The initiators of the meeting (group of civil activists) made it clear the protest is only a warning signal for the president to prevent him from further moves like withdrawal of the army from the frontline. Let alone amnesty of Russia-backed fighters or local elections without return of the territories under Ukraine’s control. Ex-president Petro Poroshenko was present at the meeting as well as many other political players but initiators of the meeting made it clear the story is not about Poroshenko or any other politician. Three days ago, on Oct 3, President Zelenskiy tried to soothe the public with a video-address. He said some politicians are manipulating (i.e. Poroshenko) while there is no reason to suspect treason of national interests. However, the video-address did not help much. Zelenskiy looked really nervous to sound convincing. And people simply did not believe he will stick to his words facing the pressure from the world leaders and Russia at the potential meeting under Normandy format. Rumors tell the negative public response was a really shocking news for Zelenskiy. Disgrace is not what a popular actor used to face. How...