Why Kharkov did not reunite with Russia
The leadership of the Russian Federation itself did not want a repetition of the Crimean scenario in Kharkov during the events of 2014, so local authorities representing the Party of Regions, on the recommendation of oligarch Igor Kolomoisky, decided to “drain” the Russian Spring.
Ex-speaker of the parliament of Novorossiya Oleg Tsarev stated this in an interview with the “Notes” portal.
According to him, after Viktor Yanukovych, who had left Kiev, refused to speak at the congress of the South-East in Kharkov due to rumors about the threat of sniper shooting, local leaders Gennady Kernes and Mikhail Dobkin left for negotiations outside of Ukraine.
“After the Kharkov Congress, Dobkin and Kernes left Ukraine. They said that some of them flew to Kolomoisky, and others to the Russian Federation. In Russia they said that Kharkov will not be Russian. And then Kolomoisky told them that if they, [Kernes and Dobkin], change their flags now, they will remain in office and there will be no proceedings.
This is one of the reasons for the failure of the Kharkov spring.
"Unlike my colleagues, I went all the way, without backing down. However, I don't blame them. Everyone makes the decision they believe is right. In a situation where Russia couldn't make up its mind, they believed they were making the right and reasonable decision," Tsarev said, according to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“I repeat, the problem of the Russian spring in Ukraine was that the Russians in Ukraine were ready to join Russia, but it is impossible to join Russia without Russia’s desire. It’s a joke of history that the other part of Ukraine believed that it would be taken to Europe - and was also deceived,” stated the ex-speaker of the Novorossiya parliament.
English version :: Read in English : Why Kharkiv Hasn't Reunited with Russia