For me, European integration primarily involves qualitative changes that we cannot achieve from the inside, so we try to apply some pressure and change something from the outside. For example, for me personally, it means changes in education and science. … I understand “European values” as an opportunity to control the power, it’s the first thing, and to change the environment with your own initiative. The free market, good conditions for the small and midsize businesses, and the Bologna process.
Male, 19 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 3, 2013, active Euromaidan participant, assistant camp commandant
First of all, it’s about overcoming corruption. I think it’s the only way to solve this problem. Well, the standards of living should also rise. European standards are not just words. … If we take the legal system, then, of course, it’s about not breaking the law, that is, being a decent citizen, but there’s a problem with same-sex marriages and the like. So, I think such a thing won’t pass in Ukraine, as our citizens are normal, unlike some Europeans.
Male, 21 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 3, 2013, Euromaidan participant
[What does European integration provide?] Many things. Just imagine the market extension. We’ll be open to Europe. Also, God willing, we’ll enter the Schengen zone and have open borders, and it will allow us to expand the borders in general. … In my opinion, first, it’s about humanistic views and, I think, clear laws that prevent the development of corruption. That’s what European values can provide. Well, you can think a lot of what “European values” are, but these two, in my opinion, are the most important.
Male, 22 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 3, 2013, Euromaidan participant
I was asked why we wanted to go to Europe. Because only then there’s a real possibility to live better, and we’ll live better anyway, we’ll get into the European Union, not with Muscovites in the Customs union. …
Male, 23 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 3, 2013, Euromaidan participant
After joining the EU, we should be ready that our lives won’t get better right away. But we have [to do it], not just because of the economy or some geopolitical connection. European values allow Ukraine to develop, allow people to believe in the best, and become better. Well, you know, people often … Well, it’s a comparison with something better. A belief in something better. The concept of believing in yourself, believing in the future, and knowing that Ukraine and the Ukrainian people deserve better. [What will European integration bring?] For me personally? I hope my children will live in a better country. There will be something better.
Female, 19 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 3, 2013, Euromaidan participant
[What can European integration bring to Ukraine?] Many good and bad things. You see, I visit, well, due to the specifics of my work, I go abroad. I have to face different aspects of European life. So, a lot of good and no less bad things. … [What are “European values”?] Provocative question. European values, if … Well, it can mean different stuff. It can be both cultural values and material values. Well, probably, the main values our society should borrow from Western culture are obligation, punctuality, and almost no fear of the authorities.
Male, 56 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 3, 2013, Euromaidan participant, Participant of the Orange Revolution and the 1975 strike at the “Electron” plant
Well, for me, as a young person, I think it [European integration] can give a lot. Of course, after European integration, there will be a very difficult transitional period for Ukraine as a whole and for each person in particular. But the most important thing it can give us is European values, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the fact that after expressing this freedom of speech, people will also remain free and won’t get any punishment because now it’s a usual thing for Ukraine. And we know the people who went to protest were already convicted, as they say, without a trial or investigation, they ended up in prison.
Female, 18-20 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 4, 2013, Euromaidan participant
I traveled in western Ukraine for five years, from Shatsk Lakes to Mukachevo, Berehove, Chop, Kovel, Lutsk, and Volyn. It’s not that Europe can give us something, it’s about us taking something from there. People have a completely different mentality there, mostly young people. I think the youth there are more educated, ours go to church here, but they don’t know [why], for the sake of the company, the children there are pious. Whoever honors God will honor the elders. What will Europe give me? I’ll tell you, I’ve worked for 39 years and 9 months, and my pension is just 100 hryvnias more than the minimum one, received by people who didn’t work a day. I want there to be the same laws for all, both criminal and social laws. We are obliged to adhere, but the one who writes [the laws] is also obliged to adhere. For example, I have ancestors in Poland, so I wanted to go there, but I don’t have any money, I’d like to go to the homeland of my ancestors, but I don’t have any opportunity. If you worked [all your life], you should receive a decent pension and not live on handouts from the state, which today gives me a subsidy, and tomorrow will say “goodbye, you’ve been trampling the earth for a long time”. … “European values” are, first of all, the observance of laws. I’m telling many people here: you have to start with yourself, cross the road in the right way, [for example]. Throw the garbage in the trash can, and start with yourself. If you came to work, then work, don’t sit out like our officials.
Female, 55 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 4, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
European integration can give us, I’d say yes, it’s an incentive for society, a kind of hope for the best. Well, I think the material things are be secondary. … “European values”? This is, first of all, order, social activity. Power of the people. It’s the main thing. Everything else can be fixed (laughter). … I believe it means protecting of public dignity. I’d say so. It’s the most important thing. Everything else will be okay if we have this dignity. …
Male, 41 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 4, 2013, active Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
[What can European integration give Ukraine and you personally?] Freedom, first of all. Personal freedom, moral freedom. Soon, no economic freedom is expected, even if we join, but to feel like a free person is important. [How do you understand the concept of “European values”?] It’s about people’s rights, quality of life, protection, in a legal sense, freedom of speech – in general, things we don’t have.
Male, 60 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 4, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
The first, most primitive thing is open borders. Signing this agreement now is a step towards joining the European Union; honestly, we didn’t even hope for that a few years ago. For me personally, the most important thing is some control over the money that goes from the budget into the pockets of our politicians. That is, if we now take all the money that some authorities put into their pockets instead of financing the reconstruction of the roads, building restoration, hospitals, medicine, and education, if we were to return it all now, there would be no need to join the European Union because everyone would join Ukraine (laughter), I think so. … [How do you understand the concept of “European values”?] It’s a bit contradictory. You see, everyone interprets it as beneficial for them. Some say they are against European integration as European values mean same-sex marriages and so on, but it means tolerance, although sometimes it goes sideways with Ukrainian tolerance. I don’t know, values are a broad concept, and you can interpret them differently.
Female, 25 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 4, 2013, volunteer on Euromaidan
European integration is, firstly, European values, secondly, a better standard of living, cultural achievements, economic, of course. … For me, it’s about the opportunity to live in better conditions, to travel abroad without visas. … [How do you understand the concept of “European values”?] These are cultural values, mutual respect, tolerance, the ability to listen, to compromise.
Female, 27 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 4, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
European integration is our future. If there is no European integration, and we lose this revolution, most of us will end up in prisons, adults will lose their jobs, and students will lose their and the world’s future. That is, Europe is a door that brings us something good. I’ve been to many European countries and seen how people live. Even though some say we’ll lose factories, excuse me, it’s just nonsense, we don’t have all this, and if we don’t go to Europe, we’ll become a Russian colony, which Belarus is. For me, it’s an opportunity to fulfill my dream: to become a well-known opera performer, in our country it’s not very possible, and Europe supports young people and helps them. … European values are, in my opinion, a way of life, of constructing one’s life. For example, when I see people, despite the signs on our lawns: “Please do not walk on the lawn, behave in a European manner,” our people behave like cattle. Provocations are not European values. European values are culture.
Male, 18-23 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 4, 2013, active Euromaidan participant
First of all, it means changing people’s thinking as we see that the thinking of people living in Europe, their behavior is fundamentally different from ours. Better education, better civilization… [What can European integration give Ukraine and you personally?] Personally, it’s about the opening of ways to Europe, that is, I don’t know, live like them but here. It’s the basics. … European values are, first of all, human values and mutual support.
Male, 18 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 6, 2013, organizer of Euromaidan in the region
[What can European integration bring to Ukraine?] New opportunities, visa-free entry to European countries, high living standards, plus human dignity, human value, and all. For me? Open borders, I’ll be able to travel through Europe without visas. Now I need an invitation, if it’s a business visa, pay 35 euros for the consulate, 200 euros for receiving documents plus waiting… Well, you can just waste money and receive nothing. … European values are, as I said, the dignity of a person, the value of a person, when you know what you work for and feel like a person.
Female, 29 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 5, 2013, Euromaidan participant
In fact, European integration is not such an obvious concept, and bananas won’t start growing on Kyiv’s chestnut trees on the very first day. As a person who is into science and knows how numbers work, I was surprised at the fact, for example, that when Poland began its process of joining the European Union, the standard of living there fell by thirty percent. Of course, I am aware of the risks this association agreement entails because it means Ukrainian markets will open for European goods, which now are many times better than Ukrainian counterparts and at the same time cheaper, as I can compare Polish and Ukrainian prices here. At the same time, there’s no alternative to a European path, as preserving the current situation in Ukraine can only lead to further stagnation. If we are not competitive—I mean we as Ukrainian manufacturers—in such a global perspective, we won’t be able to develop in this world. We live in a global world that has a tendency towards further globalization, and we have to enter the markets and fight for these markets on the terms that are already accepted. These conditions are stricter than those offered by the Ukrainian market. We need to improve our products and invest, first of all, in the production and modernization of enterprises. So, of course, in the short term, Ukraine will only lose because of this agreement with the European Union. There must be some decline in the standard of living in Ukraine. On the other hand, if we think about the future, I don’t really see any alternatives to such an exit. Ukraine’s European choice was made a long time ago. I don’t know what you mean by “European choice.” President Yushchenko, Yanukovych, and so on have already declared the European choice. But the European choice is actually a very blurred perspective and a very blurred concept. I don’t really know what “European choice” particularly means. Ukrainians don’t need to choose the European option because Ukrainians are Europeans, you know? If you’d said “Japanese option,” yes, and we started eating sushi instead of salo, well, I’d understand it. But in fact, we are in Europe, and there’s nothing to choose from here. … You know, I move around Warsaw, here and there, for example, go home. When there’s an ambulance with flashing lights on, no matter the traffic jam, the cars all let it pass. In Kyiv, when you are standing in a traffic jam or just at a traffic light, and an ambulance appears, no one will move even a meter to let it pass. Sometimes patients didn’t even make it to the hospital. These are European values for me. That is, we are not talking about some high things, abstract, and so on. For me, European values are the values of everyday life. It’s when drivers let you pass at a traffic light instead of, I don’t know… There’s a video on the Internet where a person crosses himself at a traffic light and then crosses the road at a green light. I mean it’s about the social state that all Ukrainians aspire to and which politicians advertise before the next elections. Instead, the implementation of all these ideas somehow leaves much to be desired.
Male, 23 years old, recorded in Warsaw, December 6, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
Unfortunately, no one is talking about Ukraine’s membership. In my opinion, Ukraine is unlikely to become a member of the EU. Europeans are afraid of so many people and so many votes in the European Parliament. And such a big number of young, educated, mobile people will fill European workplaces. Everyone acts in their own interests, so Europe is also like that, and Ukraine is like a sales market. But I had no great expectations from the association agreement, no illusions that we would join the EU tomorrow. But the fact is that Ukraine has many years of history, being located geographically and civilizational between the East and the West, it must always be on someone’s side. I know some people believe that Ukraine can be neutral and survive, but that is not an option. So, Ukraine needs to choose a side. And one side is either the Russian Empire, which dreams of seeing Ukraine as its part or the EU, a more civilized partner, which would like to see Ukraine as its very good partner. Therefore, it’s impossible to oscillate all the time; you have to choose something in the end. So I am more inclined to choose the European vector, which is much more civilized. Just compare how peaceful demonstrations are treated in Russia and here in Poland. If to compare these two points, you already can conclude. In the European vector of movement, Ukraine is much better off. In my opinion, also in terms of spirituality, the majority of Ukraine is much more European than Russian. So, I always supported the European choice of country. That’s why I expected this agreement on European integration to be signed and, by the way, I didn’t think there would be such problems. Here is my own assessment of Ukraine’s European integration. Well, personally, I myself am quite European-integrated. Given recent events, waiting for something is a less profitable option than acting on your own. Honestly, here in Warsaw, I feel much calmer. I understand what’s happening around me, and for me personally and for Ukraine, closer cooperation with Europe would lead to similar results in the end. Ukraine would anyway be forced to fight corruption, maybe not now, but soon. To fight those corruption schemes. It’s unavoidable. The washing of Ukraine’s economy, outdated and rotten, is also a must. Cooperation with Europe would only help it, and for me, it would be about better quality of goods and low prices for goods in Ukraine because Ukrainian manufacturers would have to compete with European ones. For me? If I were in Ukraine now, studying for my Ph.D. course, I think cooperation with the EU would not lead to the elimination of my institute so there’s a greater opportunity for the development of Ukrainian science. It’s necessary to close the institute, but we have to find another idea of how to develop Ukrainian science. Both of my parents work at the Academy of Sciences, and they also don’t know if they will work there tomorrow or not. And the elimination of my institute, one of the largest, is just one of the signals that this gang [the parliament, t/n.] doesn’t need science. And for me personally, cooperation with the EU would most likely mean more opportunities for that development. Well, I see greater opportunity in terms of science [here], as I’d like to grow in Europe professionally, here you can always find some ways. … [European values] are, first of all, non-acceptance of violence and freedom of expression, freedom of this opinion, freedom of position. It can be manifested in many things. People protest about such things. They advocate for them. They don’t want totalitarianism, when you can’t influence anything, start your own business, and someone will take it away the following day. These are the European values people are fighting for.
Female, 25 years old, recorded in Warsaw, December 7, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
What can European integration give Ukraine? You know, first of all, the association agreement doesn’t mean that Ukraine will join the European Union. We understand it very well. It’s only the first of many steps, as some countries, for example, Turkey signed the association agreement with the European Union long ago, and they are not members of the European community yet. What does it bring for me personally? For me, as a human rights defender, if we together prepare a fertile ground for civil society in Ukraine—this will be the first step for the Europeanization of Ukraine. That is, we must reject old stereotypes. We must, first of all, have a legal culture, know our rights, and protect them. As for a human rights defender, it means, first of all, bringing the European legal system to the territory of Ukraine. It’s important … because in Ukraine, the legal culture isn’t developed. But some people understand that if we join the European Union, we’ll create a kind of Eurosovok [“sovok” here refers to “soviet” in a derogative way, t/n.] with European salaries. It’s not true, it’s a mistake that is also, maybe on purpose, cultivated by the authorities to confuse the minds of Ukrainians. Unfortunately, it’s like that. First, we, human rights defenders, need to join our efforts to explain to every Ukrainian what exactly European integration will bring. After this, I think people will be ready morally to enter Ukraine. You know, half of the people here now may not fully understand European integration processes; they may not understand it at all. They paint such a beautiful picture: the flag of the European Union and some European salaries they have already built in their imagination. But it’s not so. I emphasize this. A lot of work needs to be done before becoming a full member of the European Union and the European community. For if we by some miracle enter the European community with such, let’s say, outdated concepts, then we’ll always remain there on the rights of a younger brother. And I wouldn’t like it because Ukraine has enough, let’s say, strength to become a full member of the European community.
Male, 34-35 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 7, 2013, Euromaidan participant
I believe they say accurately that if we join the European Union, the markets of “third” countries will open up for us; that is, we’ll be able to import our goods. As a former student, I graduated not so long ago, I believe that studying abroad or doing an internship will be more open for our students. … European values, first of all, mean democracy. Democracy in the country and democracy everywhere. You can protest and express your opinion. That’s probably the greatest value. … I really hope everything ends peacefully, without blood, yes. But I think they saw there are many people, they are together. Now I believe Ukraine can overcome this already somewhat totalitarian regime. …
Female, 25 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 7, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
[What can European integration bring to Ukraine?] Not much shortly, but we need to move forward. We should have moved forward a long time ago, that is, to Europe, not to Russia. But we have to work, discover something better, and bring some investments into our country. Well, this question is so complex. … Values? Undoubtedly, it’s about law and these European ideas implemented there, which we don’t have here. We have to be a civilized nation; that’s the main thing. If we are invited to Europe, then we shouldn’t refuse.
Female, 55+ years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 7, 2013
Well, in general, the key event was the sharp reversal of our authorities, as they declared to our country that, thereby violating the Constitution of Ukraine by suspending the process of European integration for an indefinite period, a 180-degree reversal took place, that is, it turned out to be a key moment. [What are European values?] Well, first of all, a progressive society, that is, European values, I believe people must follow the law and respect the law and obey it because there will never be order in any sphere. Not in politics, nowhere. The law should work not against people but for people and regulate social relations. …
Male, 18-25 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 7, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
European integration will finally bring European values to Ukraine because our people truly deserve them. This is about, first of all, the rule of law and the upbringing of our children as young citizens, which is very important for our nation and our healthy society; it’s about the transparency of public decisions, and we need it. For me, it’s really … It’s just a necessary environment. It’s Europe with its values, not [the values] our government is offering me now. It’s about, first of all, personal freedom, let’s say so… The fact that I, as a person, can allow myself within the framework of the law to develop as I want. It’s freedom of speech, also that nobody will prevent me from it using some frauds and lawlessness.
Female, 18-25 years old, recorded in Kharkiv December 8, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
Euromaidan is the ultimate desire of people to live according to some European values and European principles, but what happened after that bloody night is the desire of people for justice, to live in a legal state where their opinion is considered, their civil rights are respected. … Honestly, as I’ve already mentioned, I am not into politics personally, I didn’t read this law on the association, and many people don’t fully understand that no one will enter Europe without visas after signing this law. Our salary won’t increase right away. Europe starts not with a signature but in each person’s mind. … It’s about fighting against corruption, against the arbitrariness of the authorities, a fight for our civil rights, for justice, so that we can fearlessly walk the streets so that the deputies, knocking down people at pedestrian crossings, will be still responsible for this, and for the people to stop taking these blatant events as something self-evident when no one is responsible for it.
Female, 25 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 8, 2013, Euromaidan participant
I still hope our country will join the European Union, although it will be very, very difficult. Very difficult, and there will be a large reduction in population, and, well, It’ll be very difficult. But I hope, I’m an optimist, we’ll have a normal country. We are Europe, and we are the geographical center of Europe, so we must catch up for three hundred years and join Europe, I think so. … Well, European values, in my opinion, are the freedom of a person, freedom to freely express one’s thoughts, one’s opinion. These are the main European values. … I want us to be in Europe. And the events depend on us. I mean, on us as a whole, from the people, how conscientious we are, how broadly we’ll rise and defend our rights. Everything depends on that, I think.
Female, 33-34 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 8, 2013, Euromaidan participant
For me? I want my children to be happy. European integration [will change] the laws so that they work for people, not for the government. I hope the state will work for us, not the other way round. … As for me, I am 64 years old, and what I need is for my children to be happy. … European [values] are democracy, first of all, well, it’s all banal. It’s boring, similar to how the word “love” has lost its value. In general, it’s about hope for the future of this country, some kind of hope for the future … God willing, I pray, I pray that everything ends happily, that there will be no bloodshed, and that it will provide something. But it does give something to people. They get used to the thing that they don’t need to speak like their parents, like us.
Female, 64 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, December 8, 2013, Euromaidan participant
[What can European integration give to Ukraine?] These are global issues we are to solve after making order in our country (laughter). I travel a lot abroad. We also travel with my family, so I understand we see positive things abroad, and it prompts us to change something in our country. Even before Euromaidan, each tried to make a change in their own family and place; we tried to do something, but [together] it’s much easier! Together we’ll think alike!
Female, 35 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 8, 2013, Euromaidan participant
First, it can mean the law will finally start to work and there will be some responsibility for those who violate it. It works in Europe now, at least they respect the law there. We have excellent laws, but for some reason, they don’t work, perhaps this European integration will give us a little push, and Ukraine will finally become a state governed by the rule of law. … For me, it’s important that I’ll have access to other countries, that I won’t feel like some kind of second-rate when I have to collect a whole bunch of documents and prove that I am not going there to earn money, but just to have a look at other countries … Well, European values are, first of all, the value of law, and respect of it.
Male, 29 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 8, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
[What can European integration give Ukraine?] Access to the West, to the way people live in the West. Change of laws. It will change people’s thinking, which is the main thing. I am not saying we’ll accept European integration and immediately receive euros… or move to the West right away. Nothing like that will happen. You must work. Work so that it comes to that. Change all the laws, but the main thing is to change the laws in your head. For me [European integration]? I don’t know what it can give me, but it can definitely give something to my children. … European values? Well, first of all, it’s freedom of speech. That I’ll just, I don’t even know how to tell you… European values? It’s like living in Europe. So that the child can study, go to work and feel okay in the country. So that I am not afraid of the policemen, and they respect the law. So that everyone respects the law: both I and them. So that there is no corruption. To live like in Europe.
Male, 36-55 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 8, 2013, Euromaidan participant
First of all, no matter how banal it sounds, it’s about the right to freely express one’s opinion, the right to a fair court, power of the people. Probably a slightly different standard of living. For me, it’s about a desire to live in a new country, a little different from the post-Soviet one, where one country could tell us what to do and appeal to our consciousness. First, I’ll repeat, it’s about the free expression of one’s voice, and the first European value is everyone’s freedom and equal rights for everyone’s opinion.
Female, 28 years old, recorded in Lviv, December 8, 2013, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
You know, it’s a civilizational choice. No doubt those who live abroad, those Ukrainians who go there to the Euromaidans, understand it practically because they live with the civilizational choice made by those countries in which they live now. You are treated with respect in government institutions, and you can get things done without paying bribes, as it’s not that hard to follow the rules. We know that there is a problem with this in our country. After all, it’s about the right to decent work in addition to these political, cultural, social, and cultural values. These are also material values and the right to work, the right to decent work, to a decent pension. No doubt Poland isn’t a highly developed European country, we cannot compare Poland in terms of social benefits with Sweden, but compared to Ukraine, Poland has gone much further. And at the very least, I’d like Ukraine to be at such a level, both civilizational and economically. Actually, Ukraine’s choice now is whether we build an authoritarian system similar to the Russian and Belarus ones, we continue to nurture, let’s say, corruption in ourselves, and accept that our votes can be worthless and stolen. Or will we strive to live civilized? That’s why people are protesting now. I believe that the latest politics of our government, which started to break this right wildly, also played a significant role here. I will repeat myself: for me personally, it will be a civilizational choice, a choice for the future development of my country. If Ukraine now chooses this European integration, of course, all people who understand what association is, won’t expect that we’ll be accepted and everything will be fine. It’s a question of a long time, but at least it’s an open door, a road leading to improvement. I now live in Poland, but Ukrainian European integration will bring me benefits; thanks to it, maybe one day we’ll achieve the abolition of visas and all these humiliating border crossings. We know that Russia and other foreign countries look different. Instead, we see the problems of Ukrainians who leave for Western Europe. These are practical things, but there are also symbolic things. The more we travel to those countries that have something to show us, the more we understand what we should strive for. I’ll repeat myself because, during our conversation, I’ve already said several times what European values are for me. First of all, it’s the right to choose and freedom of speech. It’s a worthy attitude of the state to its citizen. It’s a civil society that controls the government and on which the government depends, not the other way around. These are the usual things of a civilized democratic society.
Female, 33 years old, recorded in Warsaw, December 12, 2013, organizer of Euromaidan in the region, Orange Revolution participant
Given the time I live abroad, in Poland, I believe that, first, it’s a state governed by the rule of law. Ukraine has become a legal state. The law should be common for everyone, not so that one gets no punishment, and another gets all of it—for fraud, for murder. But if one is a prosecutor or a deputy, everything is possible for such a person. The debt that our ruling “Party of Regions” has been talking about since 2004, but in the case of Ukraine it’s not so much for the people as for the Party of Regions. [Their] exit from Ukraine made it possible for Ukraine to become more independent from Russia, from its policy. If Europe or the European Union stood behind Ukraine, Russia’s actions would be different. Then Europe could peacefully protest against any encroachments by Russia, any manipulations. And now Ukraine is in such a situation that Europe is trying to do something, and Russia is just manipulating. We cannot allow it. Europe is giving Ukraine a chance, and we don’t know if such a chance will ever come again. Those living in the east or the south of Ukraine awake and manifest themselves. I hope and believe it’ll be seen. … [What can European integration give Ukraine?] First, if the EU treaty were signed, there would appear an opportunity to move around Europe without a visa. I know that nowadays, going to the consulate, submitting documents for a visa, and getting it… I get it easy. When I was in the first or second year, they gave me a visa for three months, and I had to travel [to get it] three or four times. The dates weren’t suitable for me. And it’s a very problematic situation when you have to be there, but you can’t, you just can’t go there. The bureaucracy is overwhelming. Living in Poland for some time, seeing both the level and the development of Poland… People say that in the last few, several dozen years since Poland signed this association agreement… It was 1993, and it joined the EU in 2004. 11 years have passed since the signing of the agreement. It doesn’t mean the country joined the European Union right away, but the standard of living rose. I’d like Ukraine, the Ukrainian people to sign this agreement. … One must be very careful here because now, on the Maidan, people are talking about European values, such as history, culture, and scientific and physical achievements. And the opponents of European integration talk, for example, about same-sex relationships; it’s lame. They also propagate there’s no such problem in the Customs Union, but it’s just not discussed [there]. If you look at it logically, there are the same problems of abortions, and same-sex relationships, in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. They are the same in Europe. We just don’t talk about it. Instead, Europe, which I believe is right, talks about it, and in many countries, they treat such things quite liberally. The reason is European culture. For example, if you eat candy, don’t throw trash on the street. Just throw it in the bin. Very often you can see that a person goes and throws a piece of paper into the trash bin, and if it misses, this person turns back, picks it up, and throws it into the trash bin. Europe begins in the same way as Ukraine—with each of us, with small things. If each of us is a conscientious citizen, there will be no need to talk about European values as an abstraction. It’s a normal phenomenon. If we talk, for example, about the spirituality of Europe and the spirituality of Ukraine, then I believe that Ukraine is going through a renaissance. Renaissance of religion, both Orthodox and Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, and Protestant. In Ukraine, after Soviet bans on religion, it all awakes. People have temples to visit, and this is our big success.
Male, 22 years old, recorded in Lublin, December 12, 2013, Euromaidan participant
Well, I think first we’ll move [towards Europe] in a more everyday way. In terms of products. They say there are bad products in Ukraine, bad stuff… But I live here, and I can say there are such things as buckwheat and cottage cheese, which I adore, my parents bring to me, as my dad often comes. Of course, it’ll allow us to improve production and other things. Thanks to European integration, Ukraine should move away from the sovok [uncritical support of the Soviet values or mentality, t/n.]. In terms of household, production, and mentality. I believe if people are going to work differently, then this should change their attitude toward everything. Because nowadays there is such a thing… I go home through our border. I don’t know how it happens that these guards there earn millions on the border. Some guy just lets cars pass; he gets bribes to do it. I can’t even imagine how it should all change. But sooner or later, it will happen. The advantage of European integration is that those who don’t have international passports will now want to get one, spend some 600 hryvnias and go to the nearest town in Poland. See how everything works there. [There], when you arrive at the bus stop, you can find your bus schedule on the board. People smile at you in the store. I won’t say that everything is so bad in Lutsk or Ukraine. But here, people are much more open in terms of services. You can get a document for a product, an invoice, for a thing you bought in a store, at the bazaar, or somewhere else. In our country, it all goes undercover, unclean, with no taxes, and so on. Here, if you aren’t registered as an entrepreneur, you cannot do anything. Because every person wants an invoice, wants a check for some things, and you have no choice. And I want those of my friends who have not been abroad and say: “Why should I spend money on a passport? I’d rather go to Svityaz or Crimea.” I want them to understand, come here and understand that we need to change. When we start to change ourselves, our consciousness starts to change, everything starts to change around us. For me, well, the visa-free regime of European integration… Well, I want to travel abroad without a visa. However, I never had any problems with it. I have bigger problems with crossing the border along with “cigarette women” [people who smuggle cigarettes or other goods through the border, t/n.] (laughter), who earn money in this way and thanks to which the whole bus has to stand at the border for five hours. European integration includes the idea that within 10-20 years, there will be a price reduction for customs duties. I am a young person, and, of course, I want to have many things, like a car or something. But I don’t want to buy it in Ukraine, some “Zhyhul” for three thousand dollars, because here abroad I can buy a normal car for the same money. Also, the customs duty will be less because [now] we need to clean cars through customs and so on. For me… Well, how can I say… I have so many thoughts, I don’t know how to summarize them all. … European values are, first of all, human rights, and respect for oneself and for one’s loved ones, for example, Ukrainians for Ukrainians, Ukrainians for other residents of other countries. For me, it’s about respect because, in Europe, every person can defend their rights to something, to prove something legally without any blat, [a form of corruption comprising a system of informal agreement, t/n.] corruption schemes, and so on. Indeed, not everything is so perfect. There are also dirty streets in Lublin. Lublin is a very dirty city, but anyway, a person feels normal here, protected. They believe in some values. It’s something that we, Ukrainians, don’t really have. Now it turns another way because everyone went to protest on the Euromaidan, brother for brother, everyone sticks to each other and helps, but before, there was no such thing. For me, these are all European values. It’s also a desire for a better life and awareness of one’s own dignity. Something like that.
Female, 23 years old, recorded in Lublin, December 13, 2013, organizer of the Euromaidan in region, Orange Revolution participant
Well, European integration with President Yanukovych wouldn’t do anything. When someone asked me if we should integrate into Europe, I said we first needed to change the government. Honestly, I didn’t feel the fury everyone around me did in those first days. I was inspired by the students who did all this, and I really wanted to help them, but I just couldn’t care about the actions of the authorities that refused European integration, and I didn’t believe for a second that Yanukovych could lead us to Europe. Then, after the dispersal, different mechanisms turned on. I returned to my thought that we need to change the government and the system here, and then talk about European integration. Excuse me, entering Europe is like transplanting an organ infected with some deadly disease. Because we, in fact, are now carriers of this disease. We need to get over it first. [To restore] the dignity of a person who is at least somewhat significant. A person who doesn’t mean anything to this government. It’s the most important thing. Everything else can… That’s why this revolution is called the Revolution of Dignity. Because everything else, from homosexual marriages to the judicial system, can vary from person to person. But dignity is something dominant for everyone.
Male, 32 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 5, 2014, Euromaidan activist, Orange Revolution participant
Like most people, I can’t formulate proficiently what European integration will bring to Ukraine. Sometimes you look at our people there, and it feels a little embarrassing to join European Union with our current society. For me, these are certain rules, the hope that certain rules and certain factors will restrain this rampant corruption, and European integration with the European Union will provide certain rules. Maybe the government will be afraid to take such bandit steps as it does. … [European values?] I feel it’s a certain symbolic moment, and we belong to the European family. We are Europeans, not Asia. [It’s about] Rule of Law. Supremacy is not over the state or a state over a person, but to observe certain rules, and have the right to one’s opinion, to express it. We call it freedom. It’s very important for me. Freedom of movement. … [To embody the values of the Euromaidan in the country] we need, at least, that everyone keeps these feelings and emotions of Maidan and bring them to their house, bring them to their home. Then, maybe, Euromaidan will expand. We work in harmony on the Euromaidan; everyone knows what they do. There you come and understand how society must work. Then, for some reason, when people return from Euromaidan, they forget it. They go on paying some kind of money to the officials, violating traffic rules, and their cultural level drops sharply. Save what is there on the Maidan, then I think the Maidan will be integrated into our society.
Male, 40 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 6, 2014, Euromaidan participant
European integration in economic terms can shock at first as we open up to global competition. We are competitive with the East, meaning with Russian enterprises, like Kyrgyzstan, and so on. We are not competitive globally. But, anyway, we have to go through it, not wait for something. With globalization, borders are being erased; there are no barriers, and we’ll still have to face them. It’s better to face it ourselves than to pass the problem on to our children… We have such a concept as corruption. One of the forms of its implementation is smuggling. We have everything, but our [goods] don’t go there. At least we’ll be in more pleasant conditions, let’s say so. That is, all their goods are here, but they shouldn’t be, and ours aren’t there, because they don’t comply with the law. I won’t have to worry about visas when I have to go abroad to conduct business. And this constant monitoring, standing in lines is just terrible, humiliating. I think it should go away. … [European values] are solidarity, subsidiarity and the third, I forgot the third, but in Slavic mentality, it means incompatible things in general… I forgot the third… I read about it. Solidarity, subsidiarity, and something else. Maybe it’s independence. Responsibility for oneself, and on the other hand, there’s responsibility for others, solidarity. Subsidiarity means that we have to share something to achieve the common good. In our country, these things contradict each other. Independence is in no way solidarity and so on. We have to come to that. I believe we have such thing as khutorianstvo [in the meaning of having your own place, t/n.]. We believe we’re very independent. Now we have to learn to rise above this thing and say that for there to be a common good, we must give up on something. [Values of Euromaidan] We need to build here, on Euromaidan, this kindness, this trust, and so on. We have to realize the state is one of the tools for the development of the country, and we mustn’t rely on it, that is, to kill this paternalistic feeling, which, unfortunately, even 68% of Lviv residents suffer from, although we’re called a bourgeois city. The bourgeoisie is not even around here. We rely on the state to tell us where to sit, where to stand, what to drink, what to eat, and so on. [We must remember] that first point of the December 1 declaration about not putting the responsibility for one’s life, one’s happiness, and so on, to anyone, including the state.
Male, 46 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 6, 2014, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
[Will Eurointegration help us?] It’ll help the West, but… There’s an opinion that the East doesn’t support European integration. Why is it so opposed? Because when the mines were being closed—we heard it from people there—when the mines were being closed, the directors of the mines told people: “Don’t worry, you won’t be left without a job. Europe will help us.” And it has now led to such a tough confrontation. I think that’s why people in the East don’t support European integration. And none of them knows what it is. I don’t know myself. It’s a document of the intentions. … First, it’s about respect for human rights; second, it’s about free movement. The Soviet Union has built a curtain, and it can finally cease to exist, and it’ll be possible to move [anywhere you want]. So that you can safely move. So that all people can do it. 70 percent of people in the East don’t use the Internet, ad also don’t even know what is beyond Kyiv… What are European values? I don’t know a damn thing. Probably, I will repeat once again, it’s about people’s rights that are stated everywhere. Some confidence the state won’t leave you, even if you lose your job or remain disabled. You will still somehow exist, thanks to the state. Some unemployment benefits, I don’t know what else…? I didn’t set myself a goal to define European values.
Male, 30+ years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 7, 2014, Euromaidan participant
As for me, during these two and a half months, during these nine weeks, the revolution has already passed through three stages. When they beat the students, it was a revolution for European integration: people protested to change the course of the country. After the dispersal and until January 19, it was a revolution against a criminal regime; people wanted to destroy that government, to reset it. On January 19, people finally understood this was a revolution, a national war for their Motherland because their country was being divided, and other people hating Ukrainian independence interfered in [our] internal affairs. The war for the Motherland has begun. There were three stages. … The understanding that nobody would be punished for this here until people had reached the point where it was necessary to be punished. I don’t know how it will be here. [Maybe] a change of the judicial system or the tribunal. There must be punishment. [It’s] one of the conditions. The guilty [must be punished]. Otherwise, it wasn’t worth even starting all this. … It seems a complete change of power is needed, an absolute, complete lustration of all these communists, Komsomol members, and criminals. Like it was in Eastern Europe after it got out of the influence of the Warsaw bloc. Those who didn’t, just like Ukraine, had lots of problems. To organize a complete lustration for everyone, who was even somehow involved in these echelons of power, the criminal and procedural, all these things that affected society… Well, I would highlight the slogan “Europe is my right to rebel.” I believe it’s a European protest, and people protest in different ways: some peacefully, and some start to do it more actively. It’s a phenomenal Ukrainian protest, so massive… I saw how it happened in Greece. I came to Greece, and [similar] events started happening there. They burned down the central square literally in 20 minutes, these offices, banks… People ran, broke windows, there was looting, and so on. Such things never happened here. Here, people understand their protest is civilized. [But] if somebody tries to kill them, they start to fight back. After all, not a single cop was killed, and not a single security guard was killed. … European integration means you buy a franchise system of lever-counter-lever, which proved to be useful. Of course, Europe isn’t ideal, but no one has yet invented a better thing than democracy, a controlled democracy, a lever-counter-lever system, where these prison monsters can’t rise to power, where criminal thinking is impossible. I think there may be a good alliance with the European Union so that they would help build such a system in Ukraine. Of course, there would be some kind of economic collapse. It would be hard at first, like in Poland, but all the same, it would be beneficial. It’d be possible to have a system with respect for the individual, economic mutual aid, and social programs on which European civilization rests. It’s about respect for the individual, on which the system of values is built. We lack it here. They are trying to impose an anti-system on us, where the individual is nothing, and the state is everything. European values mean that the individual is everything, and the state is at the individual’s service. It seems if we could build it, it would be pretty cool. … European values suppose that people with completely different views can live on the same territory. They may not coincide ideologically, but with a system of lever-counter-lever are forced to respect each other, adhere to each other, and listen to each other. That is, they are forced to listen. It’s a basic thing that even those who don’t want to listen are forced by many, let’s say, hooks to live in a complex organism, to keep it healthy and functioning, as every organism has lots of problems and diseases, but it survives. It works like that. … [What will European integration give you personally?] As for a person who is engaged in art, it’s an outlet for many, many different interesting things I am deprived of here now. It will give free movement around the world, as we are also deprived of it because of these tortures arranged for us here. It will give an established economic situation, social packages, and programs that allow you to learn, move around, do your projects, and implement your ideas. There are many projects like that. Only 3% work in Ukraine. As a person who deals with these things, I am interested in European standards everywhere. … Well, I write some essays and articles, and I express my thoughts. I do cultural activities. I think a person should be in his or her place. Some people can run around, and some people can create ideas and saturate them with some meaning so that they don’t stagnate. The artist’s task is to imbue all these events with new meanings, formulate and broadcast them to the audience.
Male, 35 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 7, 2014, Euromaidan participant
I don’t know. It’s hard to say. There were lots of talks about whether or not Ukraine’s accession to the European Union would be beneficial. Finally, it wasn’t about that. It was about signing the association, which will allow Ukraine to be a member of the EU in the future. No one can say if the EU will [even] exist then. Morocco seems to be associated with Europe. What does it give? It gives a certain vector, as for me. I always feel better in Europe than when I come to Moscow. It’s not because I don’t like Moscow as a city. I more like European game rules… You come to Moscow and notice an insane amount of police. I remember one of my business trips. I went down Pushkinska street to the crossing, and saw a patrol, another one, and another one. They noticed someone and like: “Yeah, they look suspicious.” Then they started checking documents. Something like that. But when you’re in Istanbul, which suffered from terrorism no less than Moscow, if you think about it… You won’t see so many police on the streets. Something happens, and the police appear in a minute; they are right there. So there’s no need to put a patrol and an armored personnel carrier everywhere. It’s quite frustrating. … [Importance of European integration] Well, first of all, free movement around Europe would be important for me. To visit friends, to go to a festival, to go to a workshop, for all these to happen you must submit documents, a bunch of certificates, that you are not “wrong.” That’s the first thing. … [What are “European values”?] A difficult question… Again, when certain rules of coexistence are developed and followed. We can’t say that in Ukraine, we have bad laws. The Ukrainian Constitution was recognized in Europe as a good, normal Constitution. But it doesn’t work. Nowadays, they adopted the law on amnesty. Everyone was like, hooray, finally! But it turns out that it doesn’t work. And [in Europe] rules are effective. Our road rules… One person can drive a cool car, break the rules and get no punishment; the other one will be bullied to give a bribe. There was a very notorious case in Kyiv when last year a girl in a posh car, she was a deputy judge, just pressed the wrong pedal and killed a woman, pinned her to the house. Well, that’s it. There was a trial. The girl served three years on probation, released under amnesty. At the same time, students must serve about 15 years for a helmet and a gauze bandage. Why? Because her father or her uncle is a judge? There have to be some rules. And again, it’s [European values] about cultural policy and traditions, which is also important.
Male, 51 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 7, 2014, Euromaidan participant, participant of the Moscow protestes in the 1980s
European integration itself isn’t bad. I like European integration as a replacement for EU membership less than European integration as a step. Well, in any case, some Lithuanian… said you can’t have the same blood circulation with a terminally ill person. We have to break out of this post-Soviet swamp and enter the club of well-mannered people who don’t urinate sideways and brush their teeth. … It’ll be easier for me to travel without visas, I guess. Myself, I am quite European-integrated. … [What are “European values”?] First of all, I think, it’s about respecting personalities.
Male, 52 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 7, 2014, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
[Do we need European integration?] It’s a question without a second part. If the question were exactly as you formulated it, and there weren’t any imposed alternatives of the Customs Union, the answer could be that I am not an economist, and I am not a politician. I don’t know, I need to analyze. I didn’t read the text of the agreement, and I didn’t participate in Euromaidan as such. But I protested; millions of us protested for the thing that had nothing to do with European integration. Our choice isn’t either being alone or in the European Union, but either joining the European Union or the Customs Union. I choose the European Union. I travel a lot, and I also talk with foreigners… The difference isn’t even in the level of life; it’s not the main thing. The difference lies in human dignity and mentality. In some conditions, it is cultivated. In other conditions, it is suppressed. And I am very much for human dignity. As for the economic and financial part, as we could already see at the beginning of all the Maidans, we were in an economic hole, let’s call it a hole. The only question is which side will help us. Demands of the one side are rather strict, as well as those from the second. But help from the first side will at least be aimed at getting us out. That is, it’ll be like a fishing rod. But the second side, as we’ve already seen, will offer us a fish: “Let’s just give you money, and you’ll steal it again.” “Okay, great idea! Cool, guys!” The alternative is: “Let’s give you money, make sure you don’t steal it, but put it in the right place, and then, maybe, in ten years, you’ll get out of what you’re in now.” I’m for the fishing rod. … [What are “European values”?] These are not European values; these are universal values. Again, students, as youngsters who communicate a lot with diverse people, treat the issue of dignity quite seriously, as well as other fundamental human things. They are not infected with the virus of submission, the virus of fear of change. In a student’s life, every exam is a great change, a tragedy, and a fire in one bottle. They are used to changes: they can be dismissed at any time, they can go to serve in the army, and they can be kicked out of a rented apartment. For them, stability is not the highest value. And they know it’s okay, they do what they can. They have plan “B,” plan “C,” and plan “D” for any occasion. They’re not trapped in what they have at the moment. And they are confident in their ability to change something. They are opposed to superstability. [Superstability is when] It’s bad, okay, but at least it’s a familiar bad. “We are used to it, what if it’ll get worse?” Well, yes, in any case, it’ll get worse, and then it’ll be better if you try, not to sit in the same room and shout: “No, we can’t do anything.” These are European values, this sense of self-respect, the need for development, communication, and care for someone other than oneself and one’s little cell. If to use more general terms, it means a wide comfort zone when a person is interested in something other than their sofa. … [What should we do to embody these values?] Do people have these values inside? If they do, then they have to live according to them. These are simple things: do not allow yourself to be mocked at work. [For example] Your boss is rude to you. Are you a human being, or are you a beast that can be yelled at? If you are a person, if you’re a smart person, you’ll find a new job. Maybe not the best. But you just can’t be half ethical, you can’t be half proud, and you can’t have selective dignity. We need to teach our children not to be afraid. We have to teach our children to value their opinion, develop the desire to have opinions, and not be afraid to express them. It’s called the education of civil society. Even now, even under the current Constitution, we have the leverage to get the authorities in our grasp. We can ask our deputies for everything. We have the prosecutor’s office, we have internal security services in the police. We can write requests to them, or we can simply flood them with some kind of letters, investigation requirements, and reports of violations. No one does it, people just don’t care. One classic thing: don’t pay a bribe to a traffic policeman. Make sure he draws up the protocol the way you want it. Common, you can do it. Yes, you’ll lose some of your time, but you’ll save a drop of your dignity, and you’ll teach one thug how to properly treat dignified people. These are global things, but they are divided into dozens of microscopic ones, according to which it’s worth living. You don’t even need to help the Maidan, it’s just enough to share its values. If people don’t share them, you don’t help. We are not fighting for some conditional, one-point victory; we are fighting for radical changes. For people to love themselves and the country in which they live. It all won’t work without this love, without the feeling of being a citizen, a Ukrainian.
Female, 28 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 7, 2014, Euromaidan participant, member of the “National Hospital” organization
[European integration] won’t give anything. Even more people will go abroad. It’ll mean a direct entry to any country. Now people drive through Poland and Germany. Documents are produced there. And so they will drive without any help. Half of Ukraine will leave. Although a lot have already left. Italy, Portugal, Holland, Poland, Czech Republic. … I just don’t know. No. Why? You can go to Europe… To be honest, I don’t really believe in that Europe, as Ukraine is the richest country in Europe. Here is coal, here is gold, here is silver. There’s no water like in the Carpathians. Woods. There are herbs you won’t find anywhere in the world. It’s our treasury. We need to protect it. To sell the wood abroad, and have all these floods! It’s because the forest is being cut down and nature is being destroyed! People suffer from that. I think Ukraine is the richest country among them. For now. But we have to prove it, pull up, show. Return all plants that were sold. Bring back all the scrap metal that they took abroad.
Male, 50 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 7, 2014, Euromaidan participant
I wouldn’t even call it Euromaidan. What is the purpose of it? People, people, I doubt those people who came to protest want to join the European Union. Their goal is to live, not to survive. For freedom, for their freedom. For their children. As one old man here said: “If not for me, at least something will be left for the children, and they’ll be able to live in some decent country.” So what is it? Look: we’ve got stereotypes that wherever you go… Police stop you, and you have jitters. You know the policeman has to find something. Somewhere in Europe, for example, they stop you. If you have some sort of minor breakdown there, I don’t know, the headlight is broken or something, they’ll warn you. And then goodbye. But in our case, they just shake us down. … Integration… I am against Ukraine joining the European Union, but I think signing some kind of trade agreement is okay. I agree. It’s economically beneficial. But, for example, I lived in the European Union. Nothing good there. Germany and France are there, okay, but it doesn’t mean anything. Well, I don’t speak for England. They are [there] from ancient times. They dictate their terms to everyone. You know? There [in England] is such a thing that you only have to milk a set amount of milk. There are no such rules in Germany. But they set them for everyone. That many eggs in the Czech Republic and Poland, no more. Otherwise, fines will be applied. Well, what’s good about Europe, you see, my friends from Donetsk and Luhansk went there to study, because it’s cheaper, first of all. And secondly, those diplomas are recognized all over the world. And our diplomas are not recognized anywhere. You know? Free movement for Ukrainians. But I don’t know if it’s good. More than half will leave (laughter). Well, what will it give? Maybe, you know, they stop stealing money anymore, and there will be some kind of control over it. The Europeans, if they give something, they’ll demand some, so to speak, some guarantees about where the money went. Or rather, how they were spent. Were they spent correctly? … [Are there advantages of European integration for you?] Maybe there would be. Look, I’ll give you a simple example. As I said, I lived there. I came [home] once every six months, maybe once a year. I had a car there. So, when I left, I can only come to my mother for five days. But why? Why couldn’t I stay longer? Stupid laws. You know? Stupid. Why? I am a free person. Why? That’s right. Five days. I don’t like that. I don’t like that you are driving with some presents, for example. I don’t know. You want to bring candies to the kids or something else. But it [the policeman] is already keeping an eye on you, demanding a bribe. You know? I’m a person with principles. I won’t give it. I make a noise, I start shouting. Then, of course, they fall behind, they don’t want anything anymore. But why start? Well, I understand when they stop someone rich, but me? Sorry guys. You have a salary. [What are “European values”?] But what are they, and what values do they have? They have no values. Maybe some people have some values. They don’t have any. No values. I’ll give you a simple example. It was so wild to me when on Easter, the neighbor was cutting firewood. These are the values. That’s all. Nothing to talk about. What are their values? Earn money, eat, drink, and go to sleep. These are values. And have some vacation.
Male, 29 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 7, 2014, Euromaidan participant
Let’s say, the Euro[maidan] gives many opportunities to our intellectuals because our people are so talented and intelligent, such unique people. They study, get professions, for example, a doctor or a film director, and they are aces in their field, but they don’t have the opportunity here to benefit society, and they go abroad, where they are paid. They start a normal life there and live nicely and do what they always wanted, what they studied for, and constantly improve. In our country, it turns out people get professions and they want-want-want, but then just die out, and very good talents disappear. What am I leading to? We need Euro[maidan] because of many programs and institutes abroad that can invite us. I was abroad—I went to study for a hairdresser—and they told me at the embassy: “And why didn’t you go study by a state program? Every year, five hundred of you Ukrainians can come and enroll in public education, get this profession, receive a European diploma, and then start practice in another country, or return home.” No one knows this, but they tell me: “[Ukrainians] do study there.” And they just list those students, and it turns out those are the children of deputies who are in power, and no one is spreading this information anywhere. They go if they want. [But not] kids from the orphanage, who don’t have parents, but are bright-minded and can bring a lot of benefit to society because they are enthusiastic, bold, and brainy. Well, a person is talented, and it’s better to take this tenacity and help people, but they can’t, you see, they were crushed from birth, and that’s it. And the one spoiled by money, for example, drunkenly hits a person on a pedestrian at a red light and bears no responsibility for it because runs away abroad… He studies in London and goes to those classes or maybe doesn’t. He doesn’t even listen to the teachers, and no one needs what he’s taught, he’ll never bring it to society. Such a waste, and what for? … Well, let’s say, I’d like to work here in Ukraine, but have a chance to visit some advanced training or seminars on self-improvement abroad because there are more of them there, they have more practice there, and, also, I’m interested in my development, but I don’t have such a chance. And, also, I need euros to travel, I like to travel, why can’t I travel? … Study, travel, maybe even treatment. I’d rather go to a Ukrainian doctor abroad with their technologies than to our depressed doctor, who’s enraged because he has studied for eight years and ended up with no salary, and he just says: “Okay, mister, let’s cut you, come on.” And he won’t treat me. … I think we have to talk about the fact that in Europe, you have rights and responsibilities, and if someone encroaches on your rights, that person is restrained by the law and punished. That is, they resolve everything peacefully just by talking. And I’d like to be sure that if I live correctly, I’ll have my chances, my rights, I’ll see some ladder, I mean, I am doing this now, then I’ll have that. I’m sure this whole scheme works, and, at the same time, I know everything I need with no limits, and I don’t suddenly end up in trouble. I know the rights, the law, and that everyone accepts it, so and so. If someone puts sticks in your wheels, you’re sure the law and all the responsible structures take care of it, you must file a statement, and they’ll take care of it; someone will protect you. In Europe, this scheme works very nicely. You can file a lawsuit even for a personal insult or an expression against you. I worked as a hairdresser, and I had such a situation. I know if I worked in another country and burned a person’s hair because I wasn’t professional enough, then they could actually sue me because it’s still a physical, let’s say, harm, I burned their hair. I harmed them and their prosperity, I really made them ugly, and maybe they would just fail everything because of this. In our country, you can still slap a person in the face, and nothing will happen (laughter). And they’ll slap you back if their best man worked in a court or police. And you’ll get to prison for that, that a hairdresser chopped your head off, but his best man is a policeman, and he’ll just say: “They came to me beaten like that; it wasn’t my fault, take them away.” That is, a victim can end up imprisoned. It’s just wrong.
Male, 25 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 8, 2014, Euromaidan participant
When Poland wasn’t a part of the European Union, my distant relative went on a business trip to Poland and Germany. He comes back and says: “Poles are fools!” But Germany was already [a part of the EU]… “Alcohol is ten times more expensive there; everything is more expensive; why do they want there?” You know? And now Poland is much better than us. If we were there first, things would be different. And now we’re almost the last ones left, and it’s clear life is much better there. The general standard of living is much [higher]! … Well, I don’t even know what [European integration will give me], or my children, grandchildren! What can I say, a pensioner? [What are “European values”?] Some kind of law, order, or something, not our chaos. All countries live according to them. People aren’t afraid of the cops stopping them for no one knows what. If there’s order in the country, then [European values] will persist… Don’t know how to answer.
Male, 69 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 8, 2014, Euromaidan participant
I’m most concerned with universal values. Of course, if we take the Kyiv events of November 21, of course, people protested for European integration, European values, and the European movement of our country. But if we talk about European values, they are, to a greater extent, universal human values. The Declaration of Human Rights, things like that, tolerance, respect for each other, for the opinion of others, for private property, for history, and different histories. Not some kind of authoritarianism. Well, at different life stages, you can identify yourself differently, but I always identify myself as Ukrainian. … [People protested] for values. For values. And so for oneself, for the children, for the future, that’s it. That’s the difference. For rebooting the system, but also for the values of this state, for compliance with the law. That is, people didn’t want material things. It’s not like it was on the Tax Maidan when entrepreneurs were pressed for taxes. Not like in 2004, when people were against falsification, therefore, to some extent, for Yushchenko. Someone stood up for values, not for Yushchenko, but they supported him, as the election was rigged in favor of his opponent, that’s it. It’s the first time Ukraine protests for values so massively. To massively support strangers: detainees, prisoners, and those currently in the hospital. Now, there are many great grassroots initiatives. They’re called “grassroots activities” abroad. It has been developing daily since 2004, step by step. For example, in Kyiv, there were successful initiatives to defend the yards, [called] “let’s make it better,” when people protested against the development. These protests were small. We have to unite at the level of neighborhoods and our yards. These grassroots, small initiatives are exactly what can change our state. If every citizen understands their responsibility for what is happening in the country, if they can change something, they should change something. They can’t just feel careless. There are two categories of people in Ukraine: those who believe something depends on them and try to change something, and those who sit on the sofa and cry that nothing depends on them. Well, if to think like that, nothing will ever depend on us.
Female, 29 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 8, 2014, Euromaidan participant
Only blue and yellow ribbons remain, no one tries, some are even hostile to European ribbons. They say: “We don’t need Europe now, first of all we need to solve the trouble with our government, and then think about European values and Europe.”
Male, 23 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 8, 2014, Euromaidan participant, camp guard, head of the information center
The signing of the association for me, first, I can’t say prices will rise significantly, but I can be calmer about their quality because we’ll comply with European standards. Some say it’s a minus that so many enterprises will have to close, [but] why should I buy a poor quality product that affects my health and spoils quickly? So, I don’t see many minuses as such (laughter). … [What are “European values”?] These are generally human values. The main thing is a person, then comes the law. For everyone, again. Another thing I wanted to say is that, as I see it, in the next five years, we’ll anyway have a very difficult situation in the country. It doesn’t matter whether we enter, sign, or not. Because of our economy, I don’t know what it holds on now, but it’ll just collapse. That’s how I see it. Looking at the January statistics, there’s a shortage of the analog line, that is, all these incomes are huge. At the same time, the VAT compensation is higher than last year for the same month. Apparently, they are trying to draw out the last thing possible from our half-dead country. And we still have to work.
Female, 30 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 9, 2014, Euromaidan participant
[What will European integration give us?] A change in the relationship between government and society, more respect for the rights and freedom of the individual. These are European values. It’s what I hope for. It’s not a forecast, but my hope. It will bring general changes among people in society, probably. People will become more trusting, friendly, less violent, and so on. Well, again, these are bright hopes, illusions, ideals. … [What are “European values”?] There’s a clear definition of European values. Well, again, now, probably, there’s no time to list all the rights and freedoms of a person. It concerns, for example, maintaining cultural diversity in society. It concerns not only our standard set, like religion, race, nationality, and so on. I mean all possible differences between people: there are left-handers, right-handers, redheads, not redheads, and so on. You know what I mean. Protecting all minorities and so on. Moving toward Europe, this process is gradual, not steady. The relationship between power and society, responsible authorities. I don’t know. When you name it, it seems self-evident and even a little vulgar, yes. Well, anyway, it’s very bad when you don’t have such stuff. Of course, it’s about a government caring about the society it manages, not about itself. A government that cares about the prospects of the country and the prospects of the people. I tell the students we must return to the ideals of humanism, that is, the very value of the human person. The highest value is a person, and all sorts of economic prosperity and so on are tools, not an end in themselves. Our current government, with all those slogans of economy and stability, forgot about the value of a person. It’s a big problem, and I hope that when we come to European integration, yes, when we follow this path, the humanistic ideal will prevail. That’s what is specific for me. Again, it’s about protecting human rights and freedoms, the freedoms of every person, including me. We all lack it in one way or another. The power that worries about the individual in the state, the power that cares about the prospects in society, and this care reflects in each of us.
Male, 27 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 9, 2014, Euromaidan participant
What can European integration bring? A perspective. It can give a future to Ukraine as a sovereign, independent state. The issue isn’t just economic; it’s an issue of some kind… Yes, in the European Union, there are many issues, there are economic and there are certain, let’s say, socialist deviations, with illegal immigrants and many other things, but it’s, in fact, a valuable choice, a geopolitical choice, a choice of our path. We say we have certain things important to us, and we reject other things. It’s perspective, the future of my children. Not tomorrow, but maybe in ten or twenty years, we’ll live with normal, right views. Not everyone, but the majority. We won’t let white color suit only the same, and black color suit only the same. We’d have black and white and white and black for our state. European values are human rights, democracy, freedom of speech, and freedom of will. When the state is separated from the church, tolerance, and what else? Competition, not only economic but also social; competition of parties, some organizations. It means social networks, it’s… adequate, decent people are in power, not the one who broke in once and surrounded himself with security forces and guns and bullies everyone.
Male, 30 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 9, 2014, Euromaidan activist
I just don’t understand anything about it. I don’t know what European integration can give… I believe it’s not the main thing. European integration should be in second place. Change the very system of power; this is the main issue. European integration or something is not the first thing for me. … “European values”? I didn’t think about it. I don’t bother about European values. Frankly, I can’t even say there are values in Europe that… after all, they can’t be called robots, they don’t have values, they have rules. They have many rules and many laws, they follow them, they live by the rules, it’s not bad. I can’t call it values, it’s a correct view of how one should live, not exist.
Female, 33 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 9, 2014, Euromaidan participant
What can [European integration] bring to Ukraine? First, when a real governmental reset happens, then a tolerant, intelligent person will come to power. We need more than one person like that, actually. And that person will really support the course of European integration. Especially when we … why should we limit ourselves in our freedoms, in the trips abroad, if we’re a normal, intelligent, decent nation, why can’t we live like Europeans? … Personally, so to speak, I’m middle-aged and I want some freedom too, to go see the world. I want my children to live better, without limits, and to have not only a Ukrainian but also a European passport. So that when I got on the marshrutka, [share taxi found in Eastern Europe, t/n.] got off in Berlin, and came back, there were no visas or international passports, this rush. Why limit us? Are we some cattle or something? … Well, European values are an interesting concept. I myself cannot understand European values. European values are the way people are treated in Europe, their rights, and their freedoms. There is a certain culture of behavior and some respect for a person in general, regardless poor or rich. I think these are European values, which, unfortunately, we have very little of. Moreover, we don’t even have a government. Well, I personally cannot plan what will happen next. I want no bloodshed. I don’t know if this dream of mine and the dream of many Ukrainians can come true, but I’d only like to do it without bloodshed. So that the ones in power realize that fighting with their people is not only a shame but just horrible, it’s just lame, impossible [because] no one ever won a war with the people.
Male, 31 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 9, 2014, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
Well, European integration was like a catalyst, the last point of some kind, the last frontier. In any case, the idea of European integration has remained topical because it’ll be like a further logical decision, after the change of power, after lustration, and after everything else comes European integration. If we change the government, and it goes the other way, we’ll have to organize a new revolution because it’s logical. If we move away from European integration, we’ll just worsen the problem and start looking for its roots, but the solution is the same. … Well, look: if European integration is one of the last stages, that is, we change the government, change the president, we begin to develop democracy… Then European integration will be like a happy development, like a logical line, the end of this sequence. If we just leave everything as it is and sign an association with the EU, it won’t result in anything at all; moreover, it’ll be even worse for us because it’ll spoil everything. But if you start solving the problem from the very beginning, it’ll enable Ukraine to become a truly developed country on the same level as all the others.
Female, 25 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 9, 2014, Euromaidan activist, Avtomaidan participant
[What will European integration give us?] Sufficient necessary measures to protect against economic and military aggression from Russia. … I believe in Ukraine the perspective is greater, the political perspective is greater, not the economic one, but the political one is greater than in Europe. … [What are “European values”?] They differ little—European, American values—there’s no difference, these are real values, not just words, these are values. [It means that] If people do something according to their interests and values, that doesn’t prevent me from living.
Male, 55 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 9, 2014, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
[European integration can] give [Ukraine] a lot, and it’s very topical, as for me. And if it happens, we must understand that, unfortunately, no benefits will fall on us tomorrow. We’ll have to go through a rather difficult and thorny path before that happens. That is, it all basically depends on us.
Female, 44 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 9, 2014, Euromaidan participant
I have very ambivalent feelings on this topic because I’d very much like Ukraine to be autonomous and independent. I think it has every reason for this in terms of material resources. But there are absolutely no intellectual grounds. And I’m a little afraid that if we join the European Union, we’ll lose the chance to develop our personal intellectual and cultural base. That’s it. On the other hand, I am close to European positions and European views. More than Soviet or American. That’s it. To know what joining the European Union will give us—I don’t know. I think we can lose a lot, and we can gain a lot. It depends. … [What are “European values”?] For me, it’s tolerance, having some kind of cultural base, and, above all, the ability to respect the opinion of another person, whatever it may be.
Female, 26 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 10, 2014, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
To me? What will [European integration] give me? I am 72 years old. You understand. What will it give me? Well, the feeling that we aren’t considered cattle but are ruled by laws, not criminals. At least. I know that two, three, maybe four years will not be easy. Or maybe, even more difficult. Then there will be some kind of future. That feeling that you are not the khokhol [an ethnic slur for Ukrainians popular in Russia, t/n.], as they think you are, but a human being. And others will treat you as a person. … For me, European values mean that a person is free, that a person can express their opinion, that they won’t get beaten, imprisoned, or dragged anywhere, there won’t be any cop over him. Do you get me? That’s what I mean. I watched a TV story about a woman from the Sumy region. She worked in Italy for several years. She finished her job there and wanted to go home. She just went to the sea to swim in the evening. She packed her suitcase and all. A local raped her and killed her. It was a small town. 10 thousand people. They all came out with candles. He was then arrested. He was just sick. People came out. For some girl from Ukraine, you see? They value human life. And no bastard has the right to take it away. … Well, probably [we need] to speak about it more. And you know how? To reach at least a little bit, at least someone. You know, I was pleased to meet my colleague from the employment center on Euromaidan. We worked there in the 90s. You know? 90% of the staff were Russians: “Why the Ukrainian language? Well, it was bad that it was banned.” I say: “I’m sorry, people were shot in [19]37.” … And she says: “I always think about you too,” she says, “that you said only the Ukrainian patriotic government can make Ukraine a decent, normal country.” We met there in Euromaidan. You see? On the Maidan in Kharkiv.
Female, 72 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 10, 2014, Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
Perhaps, we can talk against the background of Poland, even somewhat parallel to it. I see two options here: there’s an economic aspect and, let’s say, a cultural one. In terms of the economy, we can get big investments. Access to the European market. We could sell our goods, and also, it’s the migration of labor resources. I am talking about large investments and profitable loans. Now Poland is rising significantly because it receives lots of support. We can get new legislation required by the European Union on a more meso- and micro-level, which is useful for me as a businessman. I know how business works there. I’d very much like to aspire to it. It’s not for pragmatic or selfish purposes. We can simply rise together as a team, and raise a large environment of workers. And I’d really like that. We need to borrow this economic environment. Maybe I touched a little deeper somewhere. Azirov [mocking way to call Mykola Azarov, a pro-Russian Prime Minister of Ukraine during Yanukovych’s presidentship, t/n.] constantly, Azirov and these Dopa and Hepa [nicknames of Hennadii Kernes and Mikhail Dobkin, mayor of Kharkiv and governor of Kharkiv respectively, t/n.] are constantly talking about all kinds of… blackmailing people who live in eastern Ukraine, blackmailing our traditionalists whose minds are blurred by the Moscow Patriarchate with LGBT and so on. Yes, it’s the most popular example. On the other hand, many Europeans, when they come to Ukraine, really see a strong culture. There are some traditional views, even some cultural customs. Our Christmas. Probably, I see Europe as more pragmatic. And here we have more of a Slavic version: spirituality, singing, culture, and traditions. I’d really not like our culture to become pragmatic. When all these things would just move to museums, and everything… Culture would be about money or something. In fact, I desire the frankness of the human soul. Something like that. Perhaps it’s difficult to explain it in detail. But I believe that when we enter Europe, we’ll enrich it with our culture.
Male, 23 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 10, 2014, organizer of Euromaidan in the region, activist
European integration? We have a cool thing here. Any dude in our city, in general in Ukraine, just ask someone: who’s the mayor of Berlin? They don’t know shit. Who’s the mayor of Kharkiv? Everyone knows. They know who the mayor of Kharkiv is and who the governor is. And, most importantly, maybe I want to forget who my mayor is, to live as a resident of any European city. I’m not sure the Germans know, for example, who’s the mayor of Berlin or Munich. Because if a person does something and everything goes well, then… Europe, I understand it. It’s a normal, stuck-up bureaucratic bourgeois institution that just happens to make some disgusting decisions. And I think the most important thing for us is to forget the names of those mayors. Then we’ll consider Europe has happened to us. For me personally? Well, I really want to travel again. It’s quite problematic now. If someone there makes a visa-free regime, it’ll be very cool. [It will be a] Minimum program. I am a musician, and if they make laws for us, if we ourselves borrow European laws, either with or without help—we’ll decide later. Then it’ll be very cool. Because our laws are just stupid. I know it as a musician, as an entrepreneur, as a person, and as a citizen. Take anything. It’ll bring me a lot. … For me, European values are a kind of buffet table, you know, there are some separate dishes, we can still choose what we’ll eat and so on. I don’t think it is either “take it all or nothing.” It’s kind of stupid. For me, European values are a certain set of freedoms. People can decide if they are ready to take them. But I believe our people are already, if not ready, then almost ready to choose many things. There is, for example, a version of democracy in the Russian style: there are many freedoms, but they don’t use them. We have a slightly different situation. As Ukrainians, we know that half a loaf is better than no bread.
Male, 39 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 11, 2014, organizer of Euromaidan in the region
[European integration can give Ukraine] norms and standards, especially in production and science, I mean. To some extent, in justice. In such stuff. That is, first of all, the correct norms, the European standard. European standards primarily concern some laws that are normally implemented. To be honest, I’m pretty self-sufficient, you know, I don’t really need it. I mean, if there are some benefits for me, then I know what to do. If not, I don’t really want it myself. That is, in general, I’ll return to science, which I miss and which I try to do more. That is, a revolution is a revolution, but art continues. … [the concept of European values] Well, on the one hand, the freedom of each individual. And on the other hand, let’s say, a system of norms that protects the freedom of each individual from all neighboring individuals.
Male, 48 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 11, 2014, Euromaidan participant, participant of “Green Front” and other demonstrations
In terms of European integration, from my point of view, there are two groups of interests. Political, and here I mean the fight against corruption, the rule of law, yes. That is the control over the supervision of the law. Improving the fight against disorder among the authorities and law enforcement agencies, including the courts. And in terms of economics, it means a significant increase in the opportunity and access to European funds by various organizations, including objects of historical and cultural heritage, museums, castles, and objects of the natural reserve fund. And in this case, there’ll be much more funding than what the state is currently allocating. The second thing is the modernization of the economy, which will increase, on the one hand, competitiveness, on the other hand, reduce energy consumption, and improve the well-being of people. And the third thing is that prices for products or goods, in general, will fall, and quality will improve. … Well, what’s in it for me… My salary will be higher, plus the opportunity … For me, if to speak subjectively, not about my pocket, but, let’s say, castles and culture will be protected. It’s about easy access to all countries, yes, to adopt some, maybe, traditions or something else. Well, in general, it’s about improving the quality of goods. It applies to everyone. Well, also the fight against corruption, yes, the fight against the disorder. It also applies to everyone, as no one is immune to the thing that once you are walking down the street, and in 10 minutes you are in the Ministry of Internal Affairs with broken ribs. … European values, first of all, it’s about the concept of freedom, certain belonging, yes, to democratic values, yes, that is, the rights of every person. Well, something like this.
Male, 27 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 11, 2014, Euromaidan participant, “Green Front” activist
Initially, the goal was European integration. Although we knew that European integration wouldn’t happen, it was obvious. We didn’t even think about what could happen. Then they beat the students there, and the goal was to show we are against such things in our country. Yes, and what we are in favor of… Now there’s a question of the independence of our country. First, there was European integration, then our protest that people are beaten in the center of Ukraine. Now the question is about the integrity of the country, independence from a possible, I don’t know, Russian invasion, interference, some mention federalization. Integrity and independence of the country. … Well, [European integration] is probably needed. Ideally, I think, like many other people, we’d rather be like Switzerland, not in Europe, not in Russia, nowhere. It would be great. The agreement would not bring anything soon, that’s for sure. Maybe it’d even worsen our economic situation. Finally, if we really worked within the framework of Europe, I am convinced that economically we’d grow in about ten years. Something like that. It’d be very difficult for us in the beginning. For me, the opportunity to join Europe is an opportunity to move away from Russia because Russia is a terrible, terrible creature that wants to grab us. And if we’re in Europe, well… maybe, if we were with them, after all, Russia wouldn’t have such an influence on us, as it is now, because now I don’t even know what to do (laughs) … [What are “European values”?] It’s hard to say: a certain standard of living, economic development of the state and, again, cultural development, education, such elementary things that are necessary for adequate life. These are European values. There are also lots of issues in Europe, so I am… Why is it difficult to answer this question about European values and European integration? I always protest and take part in demonstrations that support European courses because I don’t want to be with Russia, that’s all. That is, if it’s not European integration, then it’s Customs Union. So, we choose European integration. We choose the lesser of two evils. You can’t say Europe is a panacea for all our problems, and we’ll get along fine and all that. I’ll repeat: there are many problems in Europe, too.
Female, 29 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 11, 2014, Euromaidan activist, member of the organizations “Chorna Hora,” “Opora”
[What can European integration give Ukraine?] Of course, no one says there will be big salaries and so on, or a peaceful pension, but economic cooperation with Europe is more profitable than with the Customs union. The whole world treats Europe better than this Union. How many years has Putin been reelected, and how many years has Lukashenko been reelected in Belarus? These people have got into power and will remain there until something happens to them. … I think the meaning of a normal life. If you don’t break the law, nothing will happen to you. If, of course, you break the law there, you must suffer your punishment in full. European values are, first, democracy and freedom of speech. Well, a person must be free to be able to fulfill the embedded potential and bring benefit to their state. I think European values also include the concept of “family,” meaning that family is the most important thing there is, and we must protect our children as our mothers and fathers protect us.
Male, 18 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 12, 2014, Euromaidan activist
European integration for Ukraine means, first, a high standard of living, modernization of the economy, and the fight against corruption and bureaucracy. For our country, it’s a change for the better. European values include those standards that enable every person to feel like a person, to have fair courts, to have a high standard of living, social security, and legal protection. The fact that there are some problems in Europe, like, different-sex marriages and so on… I think all these issues can be resolved. …
Male, 35 years old, recorded in Kyiv, February 13, 2014, Euromaidan activist
I think it would be probably wrong to consider European integration as some kind of bonus that gives you something. It’s more of some kind of code about who you are and in which direction you want to move. You can, I don’t know, either dance or sing, for example. Both are probably good. I don’t know what integration into the European Union can give me personally. It will probably be some kind of social bonus that I want. But, on the other hand, I understand all those economic and legal sanctions that will be introduced to adopt these norms can kill me. And I am fully aware that it may happen that we’ll reach the point of joining the EU, and then I’ll get completely bankrupt. My social and financial condition can get worse, so I simply won’t survive. Then I’ll emigrate, don’t know, to Russia, for example. I am aware of this. So, in my case, it’s not a matter of looking for some privileges but of logical development, actually, in the European direction, because historically and culturally, we’re more suitable for the European context than for the eastern one.
Female, 35 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 14, 2014, active Euromaidan and Orange Revolution participant
By the way, I didn’t think so. I rushed there during the revolution, but my passport expired (laughter), and in the last ten years, I visited Europe just a couple of times. In general, I am for strategic thinking. I don’t adhere to the position that we stand here only for the sake of our children. I want my children to live in Europe, not have any Maidans, and not fight for Ukrainian independence because today, we are talking about the national liberation war of the Ukrainian people in the struggle for their independence. But I also want my parents to live in Europe; that is, we not only hope for a bright future, but we are also for the present. I believe that with a system change, with radical reforms, we can change the country in five to seven years. Maybe we need some experience, and I’m probably too much of an optimist, but I really believe in it. The experience of other countries shows it, but we need global changes. To reach it, the Maidan must bring a radical change to the entire social system, and I don’t know if it will be successful. But I believe, at least, thon Euromaidan will reset the entire power structure and change system things. I don’t think very much about myself, but, of course, I’d like to see Europe soon after receiving a new passport (laughter). … Well, for me, European values are, first of all, human rights. And everything that concerns human rights is decisive. European values are freedom of speech. For me, as a journalist, it’s a key moment, as we live in censorship, to a greater or lesser degree. European values are a legal state, free independent courts, an opportunity to be a citizen, and freedom in all its forms, to put it briefly.
Male, 39 years old, recorded in Kharkiv, February 16, 2014, organizer of Euromaidan in the region, Orange Revolution participant
First, we fought for Ukraine’s position in the European Union, so that Ukraine would succeed in all spheres. We’ve been independent for 22 years, and we’re stuck in one place, not going anywhere. Well, the main goal of Euromaidan is to improve life for all Ukrainians and for all regions of Ukraine. You can see what’s going on: the prices are always rising, and salaries are not increasing. And in Europe, you see there is a limit and life is much better there, so Euromaidan was called like that because it’s for the European movement of Ukraine, for the movement towards Europe. … European integration can give Ukraine… first, it’s a movement towards a better life. We see our neighbors who live on the territory of the European Union. Their life is much better than in Ukraine. … Well, for me as well as for our entire country, it’s about life improvement. There will be some stability, prices won’t rise so sharply. As I’ve already said, there will be some line between wages and prices of various kinds. … Well, I’d name such European values as democracy, which now reigns in all the countries of the European Union. It’s freedom of speech, and even if some small protests are organized, a dozen of people, a hundred, no more, and the government hears them, tries to help them, and listens to all their demands. And in our country, you see hundreds of thousands of people came to the Maidan, and our government goes on being indifferent.
Male, 21 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 17, 2014, Euromaidan participant
In general, [European integration] means a visa-free border; I hope that it also will provide certain opportunities for the development of Ukrainian industry, that we’ll have jobs, good wages, quality products, and that life will improve, but not right away after the European Agreement. … European values? Well, in my opinion, these are the values of freedom of speech, human rights, valuing the human being as the basis, and valuing the people as the basis of the entire society.
Female, 20 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 18, 2014, Euromaidan participant
It’s not a coincidence most Ukrainians want this European integration. Later on, more opportunities are opening up. Thanks to this economic agreement on trade relations, it would be easier to import some products to Ukraine. We’d have a wide range of those. I think that later other agreements would take place. God willing, visas would be open for us, as many people want to travel to Europe, but this visa regime stands as a barricade. That’s why, I think, European integration would change life for Ukrainians. Because we are Europeans. Why not just make it official? … Well, for me, as I’ve said, I feel like a European. Not just at the ideological level. I live in Ukraine, we’re not part of the European Union, but I feel like a European. And so I would be officially recognized, so to speak, as European. In most countries, people from European Union are treated very differently. That is, they are more privileged, and for many countries, I believe, we’d become more developed, and we’d take such a big step in the development of our country. … For me, the concept of “European values” works, well, in politics, at a social level. That is the value of a European as such. Being educated, being somehow conscientious. Having a good education, and a good job, so that your work is appreciated and you don’t know poverty. These are European values. It’s, like, the development of the state. It’s like a really big step into the future… Euromaidan and European integration, in general, begins with each of us. Each of us must start small. From the issue of bribes, even behavior in public places. Everything starts small. So, everyone must first look after themselves for the whole nation to flourish.
Female, 19 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 18, 2014, Euromaidan activist
First of all, we’ll talk about the values of European countries. I feel many things will change when we join the European Union. The visa regime will be canceled, our life will improve in terms of the state’s attitude. Maybe some living conditions, roads, and prices will improve… the state changes will affect me, too. Nothing depends just on the people. Everything depends on the state to create conditions for people… European values? Maybe there are some special rules when it comes to this definition or whatever. But I can’t talk about European values right now. Firstly, I haven’t even been to Europe; secondly, we haven’t joined it. So, what kind of definitions can be there?
Female, 18 years old, recorded in Lviv, February 19, 2014, Euromaidan participant
The quotes from the interview published here are part of the project “The Voices of Euromaidan in Global Protest and Solidarity Studies”. The project focuses on the edited and thematically organized materials from the collection of oral history interviews called “Voices of Resistance and Hope,” that were recorded in two stages, the first in December 2013 and the second in February 2014 (more then 100 interviews). They were gathered in the base “Intimate Chronologies of the Euromaidan”, which is available on Urban Media Archive website. This collection includes 17 themetical categories. The category “Perception of European integration and European values” combines quotes related to the expectations of Euromaidan participants from possible European integration, as well as their ideas about European values. It illustrates the variability of understanding the latter—from materialistic to post-materialistic, in different spheres of life and daily processes, as well as certain internal contradictions, which are noted by the respondents themselves. These answers allow us to trace the evolution of motivations of the protesters on the example of the role of “imaginary Europe” in their reasoning.