Avakov visits training base of controversial Azov battalion

Interior Minister
Arsen Avakov visited the Mariupol training base of the nationalist Azov
paramilitary battalion on Oct. 28 in order to demonstrate publicly his support
amid recent controversies. “In Mariupol, I visited the mobile center of the
Azov specially designated detachment of the National Guard of Ukraine, where
they prepare fighters for offensive operations and conduct arms activity with
all the armaments available to the National Guard. This is one of the most
professional and prepared subunits. Our philosophy is maximum support to those
who defend Ukraine,” Avakov said in a ministry press release that day. Avakov
also visited the Azov training base near the village of Novopetrivka, where
shooting and offensive drills take place, the release said.

On Oct. 20, U.S. Rep
Mike Rose published a letter signed by 40 U.S. House representatives to U.S.
Secretary of State Max Pompeo requesting that he include the Azov Battalion of
Ukraine and two other European nationalist groups to its list of Foreign Terrorist
Organizations. The letter characterizes Azov, Nordic Resistance Movement and
National Action in Great Britain as “violent, white supremacist, extremist”
groups. “The Christchurch, New Zealand massacre was a turning point for
counterterrorism efforts. In his manifesto, the shooter claimed he had trained
with the Azov Battalion in Ukraine, and he routinely wore a neo-Nazi symbol
associated with them. Both the Ponway, CA and El Paso, TX shooters said they
were directly influenced by the terrorism committed at Christchurch. The link
between Azov and acts of terror in America is clear,” the letter said.

Zenon Zawada: For several years now, Avakov has
been widely recognized as among the main sponsors of the Azov Battalion. It’s
not established whether this sponsorship extends into finances, but it
obviously involves political protection. And Avakov’s interest in this
sponsorship is having a large group of enforcers to fulfill his needs and
protect his interests, both as interior minister and as a mega-millionaire with
many business enterprises. An example of having employed Azov fighters
was during this year’s presidential election campaign. Avakov’s influence over
Azov helped him to resist pressure from former President Poroshenko and shield
the president’s opponents from pressure or machinations, as well as redirect pressure against
Poroshenko.

Nonetheless, Avakov’s
demonstration for support for the Azov Battalion is disturbing at this
particular moment on several levels. Most notably, he is defying the opposition
of the U.S. government to Azov’s involvement in the war in Donbas, and in
Ukrainian society in general. U.S. officials familiar with Ukraine are also
well aware that Avakov tried using Azov to influence the presidential election
campaign and had to be warned to exercise restraint. And yet he
remains defiant at a time when steadfast U.S. support for Ukraine has been
called into question by President Trump’s recent actions.

Also disturbing is
that Avakov has formed a tight political alliance with billionaire Ihor
Kolomoisky, who has had some friction in recent weeks with
President Zelensky. Should the Zelensky project exceed its limits or fail
altogether, it’s clear that Kolomoisky will already have a reliable insurance
plan in Avakov. In the worst-case scenario, Kolomoisky could decide to align
fully with Avakov against Zelensky in the event that he fails to meet his
expectations. Needless to say, such intrigues – carrying over from the
Poroshenko administration – harm Ukraine’s stability.

We expect both the Republican and Democrat parties will continue to
provide Ukraine with steadfast support despite the antics of Avakov, which is
another reason he could be playing these games. He knows that U.S. will have to
tolerate Azov in Ukraine’s attempt to defend against Russian military
aggression.