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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Over the years, especially in politics, this day has become increasingly important to me. And the word “independence” feels increasingly unrealistic.
Historically it has enormous significance, the result of centuries of struggle for our state. But in practical terms no state is truly independent.
Is Russia independent of oil prices? And the United States — of factories in China? France — of uranium imports? China — of oil imports? Ukraine — of deliveries of PAC-3 missiles or Starlink? Egypt — of Ukrainian grain?
International dealers and players, on whom we have depended all these years, fed us stories about neutrality as complete independence, when in reality it was a dependent servitude to some; and about alliances as protection, when in fact they were dependence on others. Whether it was the deceitful neutrality in servitude to Russia, or promises of distant accession to alliances — none of that was ever independence. And it will not be.
Stephen Covey has a wonderful term for a person that can be scaled to any community, organization, or even a state: “interdependence.” And how wisely an actor builds such relationships determines its sustainable development and success.
There is also the word “subjecthood.” When you decide, not others deciding for you.
On this day, paying honor and tribute to all who fought and are fighting for the subjecthood of the Ukrainian state, I want to wish that we all build Ukraine’s ties with the surrounding world so that interdependence makes sense and keeps the Fatherland in prosperity, development, and security. Without deceitful slogans and with concrete consequences.
Happy holiday!
Photo: Serhii Hudʹz
