Until 2014, the unity between Ukrainians and Russians was strong. But – conditions have worsened since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and went to war against the Donbas region in the east.
Nearly 80 percent of Ukrainians today believe that “Putin is a dick” – while another 16 percent like him “bad”, it appears in a recent survey, conducted by Ukrainian Operatyvna Sotsiologiya, which Dagbladet has received exclusively outside Ukraine.
– The expression Putin Huilo (Putin is a dick) was invented by the football fans of FC Kharkiv in March 2014, and has been used by more and more Ukrainians since then, says Aadne Aasland, Ukraine expert and researcher at the Urban and Regional Research Institute NIBR, at OsloMet.
HATE: On February 24, Putin went to full war in Ukraine to free the “brother people” from the Nazis. Two months into the war, a large majority of Ukrainians say that “Putin is a dick.” Here, Putin is depicted when he recently celebrated Easter in Moscow. Photo: Reuters / NTB
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Supports Zelenskyj
Not many months after football fans adopted the term in 2014, the Ukrainian brewery created Pravda Brewery a special “Putin is a dick” beer, which is still sold in Ukraine. The logo and expression quickly spread to glass pieces, fridge magnets, T-shirts and other “Putin Huilo” effects.
– The term is very popular and has been even more used after the Russian invasion. Now images and memes abound. It is also a very common expression to wear on clothes, license plates, stickers and posters, says Aasland.
PUTIN PROTEST: Ukrainians do not want interference from Russian President Vladimir Putin, and are happy to show it by wearing a t-shirt with the expression “Putin Huilo” (Putin is a dick). Photo: Operatyvna Sotsiologijas
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In the survey, the Ukrainians were also asked what they think of their own leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyj. Well over 80 percent are either very or partially satisfied with the former actor and comedian.
– Zelensky has great support. He was not particularly popular before the war. Many were dissatisfied because he did not get over the corruption, and because people had such high expectations of him. The support he has now is very high, and the Ukrainians are very united. About both Zelensky and the military forces, says Aasland.
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Believe in Ukrainian victory
The survey also shows that half of all Ukrainians have experienced air strikes and artillery strikes, while over 80 percent have experienced aircraft alarms.
– There are of course big differences between parts of the country, and the war has been much stronger in the east, for a while in the north and still in the south. But there are many Ukrainians who have felt the war directly on their bodies, says Aasland.
ANOTHER FUNERAL: 13-year-old Maria holds a picture of her father, Yurii Alekseev (50), who was killed in a fight against the Russians. By her side stands her godfather, Igor Tarkovskii. The father is buried in the already overcrowded burial ground in Butsja. Photo: Reuters / NTB
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Despite the ravages of the war: Nearly 90 percent of Ukrainians still believe in Ukrainian victory. Which in turn means that most Ukrainians do not want to give up. On the contrary, a majority of Ukrainians believe that Russia must return all the occupied territories, including the Donbas and Crimea.
– The Ukrainians are not willing to give up parts of the country. They also do not trust Russia, so even if a peace agreement is in place, they think it will only be temporary, says Aasland and continues:
– Ukraine had an agreement with Russia earlier, which has been broken. The Ukrainians already think that they have suffered such great losses that concluding an agreement with Russia now seems both unreasonable and tempting.
Will not give up
Over two months of war, possible war crimes, abuse and death have created a huge anger and hatred against Russia and Vladimir Putin among the Ukrainians.
– It is a real problem that Russia has gone so far that it will be difficult for them to reach an agreement with Ukraine anymore now. Ukrainians do not want to compromise. At the same time, it is important to be open to the fact that these attitudes can change as the war unfolds, says Aasland.
WAR DISEASES: More than half of Ukrainians have experienced airstrikes or artillery attacks. It has created an enormous anger, and Ukrainians do not want to make any concessions to Russia, a new survey shows. Here is a man who is injured in Kharkiv this week. Photo: Reuters / NTB
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The survey shows that 70 percent of Ukrainians have not changed residence since the war began. This is especially true in western Ukraine, where the war has ravaged the least.
– Especially from the east, there have been enormous migrations. At the same time, it is interesting that there are already many who return. In the north, nine percent have moved, but returned. Which means that as soon as the war ends, people will go home, says Aasland.
Increased EU support
Furthermore, it is stated that the war has made more and more Ukrainians want the country to become an EU member. On the contrary, what Russia and Putin want.
– Also a majority say they support a NATO membership. But there are many more who are now unsure whether this is the way to go, than earlier in the war. Zelenskyj has also expressed that EU membership and security guarantees can be the way to go, says the Ukraine expert.
SURPRISE ATTACK: The Russians have withdrawn from western Ukraine and Kyiv, but attacked the capital when UN chief Antonio Guetterres visited Ukraine this week. Photo: Ap / NTB
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The fact that the Ukrainians have managed to stand so strongly against the Russian military power has given optimism among Ukrainians.
– It gives an optimism and a huge community. Ukrainians are really fighting for freedom and democracy – and to be a separate country, says Aasland.
War surprised
He has been working with Ukraine since 2008, and was “very surprised” when Russia went to full war against Ukraine on February 24.
– Putin has talked about the Russian-speakers in Ukraine being discriminated against, but I have not experienced it that way. The Russian annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine since 2014 brought the Ukrainians together. The unity has only become stronger, year by year, says Aasland.
CLOSE COLLABORATION: Researcher Aadne Aasland (back left) at OsloMet has worked with Ukraine and Ukrainian researchers since 2008. Here are some of the Ukrainian researchers visiting Norway in 2019. Photo: Private
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