De-Russify or Stall: Kyiv’s Councillors Face a Clear Choice

Source: Author’s Facebook page

For several months, Kyiv City Council deputies have been unable to move forward with de-Russifying Kyiv’s urban space. Since September, issues that residents have clearly supported during public consultations have been pushed from one session to the next. As a result, Kyiv still retains streets such as Suvorov and Volho-Donska.

I urge the deputies of the Kyiv City Council to end the endless postponement of issues related to national memory and the proper naming of the capital’s streets. These matters should finally be put to a vote at the plenary session on December 4.

Take the opportunity of Armed Forces of Ukraine Day to support the renaming that Kyiv residents have long awaited.

It is also time to restore Ivan Mazepa’s name to the Lavra, which he built. The struggle to overturn the shameful decision of the Kyiv City Council — which “shortened” Mazepa Street to appease Putin, Gundyaev, and Yanukovych — lasted 15 years and has finally reached its conclusion. Symbolically, a bust of Hetman Mazepa was unveiled on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra just recently.

Vote to give proper recognition to the memory of our military personnel, Pavlo Petrichenko Street, and Artem Sokhan Square.

Pay tribute to the founders of the modern Ukrainian state — Ihor Yukhnovsky and Dmytro Pavlychko.

These and other similar decisions have completed all the necessary procedures, receiving support from Kyiv residents as well as from deputy and expert commissions. They have long been included on the agenda and are now waiting for your vote. Do it at last!

I urge all deputies of the Kyiv City Council to approach issues of national memory responsibly and to affirm that removing Russian and Soviet narratives during the ongoing war with the Russian aggressor is a priority for the council.

To everyone reading this — make the same post or forward it to the deputies you know.

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