Dr. Irina Shilova writes in her May 28 commentary "Beware Ukraine 'experts,'" that Ukraine's interim government, which has the support of the country's elected parliament, and which is headed by known political figures, is "shady."
At the same time she ignores the violence caused by heavily armed pro-Russian extremists from eastern Ukraine who, allied with fighters from Russia, have shot down helicopters with missiles, kidnapped international observers and journalists, and attacked airports. It would appear from what she has written that these people are "mostly civilians who disagree with the new shady 'government' in Kiev."
Dr. Shilova also seems puzzled that Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, who does have a shady past as the country's former spymaster, has been compared to Stalin. Following the occupation and annexation of Crimea, he has also been compared to Adolf Hitler and Slobodan Milosevic.
It is clear that Russia, under Putin's direction, has committed and continues to commit aggression against Ukraine, and has shown itself to be a revanchist power with an imperialist appetite.
It is unfortunate that Dr. Shilova, who grew up in Ukraine, seems to be so misinformed about events in her former homeland. It is also unfortunate that, although living in St. Albert, she seems unaware of the expertise on Ukraine that does exist at the University of Alberta.
Bohdan Klid, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta
