The Maidan and Beyond: Ukraine’s Radical Right

Issue Date July 2014
Volume 25
Issue 3
Page Numbers 58-63
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Thanks largely to the Kremlin’s information war, Ukraine’s ultranationalists have become global media stars of a sort, depicted in Western and other reports as key players in Ukraine’s third major political upheaval in less than a quarter-century. How do we explain the paradox of ultranationalist parties becoming involved in a protest movement whose thrust is toward greater integration between Ukraine and the European Union? And are the fears that swirl around these parties justified? The most obvious explanation for the Ukrainian far right’s ardent participation in the EuroMaidan may be found in the primary goal shared by all Ukrainian nationalists, radical and moderate alike: to liberate Kyiv from the Kremlin’s hegemony.

About the Authors

Anton Shekhovtsov

Anton Shekhovtsov, based at University College London, is editor-in-chief of the ibidem-Verlag book series Explorations of the Far Right and fellow of the Institute for Human Sciences (Vienna, Austria).

View all work by Anton Shekhovtsov

Andreas Umland

Andreas Umland, based at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, is editor-in-chief of the ibidem-Verlag book series Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society, and a member of the Experts’ Council of the Ukrainian parliament’s Committee on European Integration.

View all work by Andreas Umland