Honorary Consul for Pays de la Loire, a choice detrimental to Ukraine

For the attention of : Mr Serhii Esaulov,
Consul of Ukraine in France
21, avenue de Saxe
75007 Paris
France

Nantes, 14 October 2023

Dear Mr Consul,

As a committed observer of Ukrainian society and of the Ukrainian world, I would like to inform you that your desire to appoint Mr *** as the honorary consul for the « Pays de la Loire » region is not an appropriate project. If you were to proceed with this appointment, there would be good reasons to believe that the storm which might arise from it would quickly put an end to his functions. It is also highly likely that you would have to suffer the personal and professional consequences of such a mistake. However, such possible aftermaths are none of my area of interests. My concern is for Ukraine and for our Ukrainian friends.

Today, the nepotism and cronyism of the Yanukovych’s era are no longer tolerated. Such practices, which not only flirt with corruption, are one of the main risks to the continuation of Western aid to Ukraine that desperately needs it. Moreover, in Ukraine, because of the dramatic human sacrifices made, the continuation of certain prevaricatory practices exasperates many activists, whether they are mobilised on the front line or actors of civil society. Local contacts tell me that we may be heading for a revolution, as Ukraine has become accustomed to every ten years, for sweeping away the clique of those who use their office for personal advantages and not in the interests of their country.

As a result, the current process for appointing an honorary consul for the « Pays de la Loire » region should be stopped. It will have to be revised in order to follow a modus operandi that is beyond reproach in terms of compliance with Ukrainian state regulations as for the qualities and skills of the profile selected.

I would also like to draw your attention to an « association » in Nantes claiming to be « pro-Ukraine », which works closely with the main local russian organisation. The couple who run the association are on bad terms with representatives of the municipality. Complaints for violence and misappropriation of assets have been filed to the prosecutor against the man. They launched two legal proceedings against those who were concerned with their dealings against the Ukrainian community. They already lost one case. The second one is not already in court. I believe that these individuals, wooed by Mr ***, should not, for reasons of image and security, be involved in the activities of the Ukrainian consulate or embassy in France.

I would be grateful if you could keep me informed of any action you wish to take in response to this letter.

Yours sincerely,

Bernard Grua
https://bernardgrua.net