Heavyweight boxing champion goes toe-to-toe with Russia
The office in the headquarters of his Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) party is spartan, furnished with a long table and uncomfortable chairs. The only decoration on the wall is a large map of Ukraine with the results of the 2012 parliamentary election.
The young party received nearly 14 per cent of the vote, an accomplishment that it primarily owes to its chairman, Vitali Klitschko, 42. Since placing himself at the head of the current wave of protests, Klitschko has risen to become the most popular politician in the country.
Not everyone believes in the political abilities of the reigning world heavyweight champion boxer, but he has a reputation as a man of integrity, in contrast to the corrupt team in the government.
He spoke to Der Spiegel about his ambitions and the occasionally violent crackdown on protesters. The interview has been edited and condensed.
Do you have serious ambitions to ascend to the highest political office in the country?
Many people think they have what it takes, but very few actually do.
After carefully considering the matter, I have decided to stand in the next election. Sooner or later, the (Viktor) Yanukovych era will have to end — hopefully sooner.
You are being hailed as a saviour. Many people believe that with you — and only with you — everything will be all right in Ukraine. Does this feel like a burden?
You’re right. The expectations of my fellow Ukrainians are colossal and the worst thing that could happen is for them to be disappointed. I’m afraid of that. But it also motivates me.
You tried to topple the government with a vote of no-confidence in parliament — and failed. Were you perhaps too sure of yourself?
We were a bit naive. The vote also shocked many members of parliament in the governing party. More than 50 of them have told us privately that they wanted to vote against the government. Some of them have actually left the governing faction, others were pressured . . . and allowed themselves to be swayed out of fear for their business
“The expectations of my fellow Ukrainians are colossal and the worst thing that could happen is for them to be disappointed. I’m afraid of that. But it also motivates me.”
VITALI KLITSCHKO
interests. The government knows exactly where it hurts.
What are your current demands for negotiating with the leadership?
First, the release of all arrested demonstrators. Second, someone has to take responsibility for the police violence. Such a far-reaching command could not have been issued without approval from the very top. The entire government has to step down. But not even that will resolve the political crisis. The only thing that can help is early parliamentary and presidential elections.
Hasn’t Europe made serious mistakes? EU negotiator Aleksander Kwasniewski has admitted that they have been naive. Günter Verheugen, the former commissioner for EU enlargement, said the EU made a “capital error.” The negotiators had failed to offer Ukraine the prospect of EU membership.
No matter how many offers they would have made to Yanukovych, he would have ultimately turned them down.
You cannot convince someone of something that he fundamentally rejects.
To him it was all a game.
No one will be able to bridge the deep divisions within Ukrainian society. In eastern Ukraine, which has a close affinity to Russia, fewer than 15 per cent want to see the country draw closer to the EU, while more than two-thirds of the rest of the population favours it.
There are historically rooted cultural and linguistic differences in Ukraine. But the actual problems in our country are unemployment, poor medical care and the lack of social security. That’s something the north, south, east and west all have in common. Since they are incapable of tackling these issues, politicians attempt to capitalize on regional differences.
But you cannot deny that eastern Ukraine favours Russia.
This has to do with the fact that 70 per cent of Ukrainians only know the West from what they see on TV.
TV networks that are loyal to the government and Russian media in the east of the country definitely have a dominating influence on public opinion.
Consequently, we have to explain to them over and over: life in the EU is much better than in the Moscow-led customs union.
Russian President Vladimir Putin once said that Ukraine was not a proper state.
Our neighbours to the east regrettably view the issue of EU integration exclusively from a geopolitical standpoint. But that’s not the point: we are not fighting against anyone. We are choosing a road to development for our country. Unfortunately many people in Moscow still view Ukraine as “their zone” — as part of the Russian sphere of influence. They don’t understand that it would also be better for them to have a Ukraine that is a strong neighbour, with a strong economy. A Russian expansion at Ukraine’s expense is impossible.
Putin says the EU — not Russia — is actually intervening in Ukraine. Aren’t all sides trying to make Ukraine into their sphere of influence?
We negotiate with Europe as equals; Russia looks down at us. The EU makes us offers; Russia wants to impose its will on us.
How do you intend to resolve the dramatic economic crisis?
The economic problems are a consequence of failed policies. There is no competition; Ukraine is a country of monopolies. We have 28 different types of taxes. We want to simplify the tax laws and fight the underground economy. If we lay down clear ground rules for companies, investors will also come and create jobs.
Do you still see jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko as a rival for the office of president?
In order to stand for election, Ms. Tymoshenko first has to be released. We are expressly demanding this. What we need, though, is a united opposition. The Yanukovych camp has vast financial resources and media power. The opposition only has a chance of success if it now rallies its forces around one individual who can beat Yanukovych.
Do you sometimes regret that you gave up your comfortable life as a sports star?
From time to time, when my 11-year-old daughter cries and asks, “Dad, when will you have time to play again?” My wife and I try to explain to her that Dad has to do something for our country — something very important.