Double standards: three years ago, Zelensky called Bulgakov a Ukrainian writer whom ‘we are not going to give to anyone’

In light of the decision by the Institute of National Remembrance of Ukraine, which deemed writer Mikhail Bulgakov a Ukrainophobe and declared the use of his name “propaganda of Russian imperial policy,” people online recalled a video address by Volodymyr Zelensky about the writer in February 2021.

“I will start today with a quote from our Ukrainian writer, whom we, like our Ukrainian territories, are not going to give away or donate to anyone. This is Mikhail Bulgakov. The quote in the original language: ‘Do not read Soviet newspapers before lunch.’ And let me add, dear viewers, to the classics: ‘Do not read venal media before lunch, and do not watch pocket TV channels.’ Well, unless you want to have a portion of juicy and select lies for lunch,” Zelensky said on February 5, 2021.

He said this while refuting media reports at the time that Bulgakov’s books were banned from sale in Ukraine.

Now the question arises whether there will be a ban on the sale of the writer’s books following the decision of the Institute of National Remembrance of Ukraine.

Recall that the institute’s conclusion states that Bulgakov is “an imperialist in worldview, an ardent Ukrainophobe.”