Nilolai Aleksandrovich Levchenko (born October 16, 1979, Donetsk) is the Ukrainian politician, People’s Deputy Ukraine of the 7th convocation, Candidate of Historical Sciences. Is well known for his statements against conducting of the anti-terrorist operation and for settling the conflict in Donbass peacefully. Since 2016 is the Head of the international fund "Donbass without weapons".
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Early years
Nikolai Levchenko was born on October 16, 1979 in the city of Donetsk. In 1996 enrolled at Donetsk National University, the faculty of History, and graduated from it in 2001 with “international relations” degree. In 2000 to receive a second degree entered the Donetsk Institute of Internal Affairs, faculty of law, and graduated from it in 2003. The same year successfully defended the candidate dissertation in history. After graduation from the faculty of History of Donetsk National University in 2001 worked as a history teacher in high school #72 in Donetsk. In 2002 was the director of PR-agency LLC “Public dialogue”.
State activity
In 1998 Nikolai Levchenko has been elected a deputy of the Kuibyshev District Council in Donetsk.
In October 2001 has been elected as the First Vice-Chairman of the Donetsk Regional Organization “Regions Youth Union”.
In March 2001 has been elected a deputy of the Donetsk City Council.
Since February 2003 has worked in Donetsk City Council as the Head of Public Relations Office.
From 2004 to 2010 has been elected the Secretary of the Donetsk City Council of the 4th, 5th, 6th convocations.
In 2008 has been elected the Vice-Chairman of the Donetsk Regional Organization the Party of Regions. From 2012 to 2014 was People’s Deputy of Ukraine of the 7th convocation. The Chairman of the parliamentary subcommittee on amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine and the Constitution of Autonomous Republic of Crimea, constitutional legislation.
In 2014 – Chairman of the Donetsk Regional Organization the Party of Regions. As a People’s Deputy of Ukraine has submit to the Parliament a set of bills aimed at decentralization of authority and at extension of powers of local government bodies.
Family status
Married. Has five children.
Well-known statements
Statement at the Party of Regions’ congress (February 21, 2007)
“There is no doubt that Russian will become a second state language. Why there is such resistance? Because opponents of the Russian language are well aware what will be as the result. Ukrainian is a folklore language. By given Russian the status of a state language, there would be no need to speak Ukrainian. It’s not a language of science. It won’t die. They will write songs, tell jokes in it. It will become folklore. And Russian is the language of science, language of civilization. Everybody translates into Russian in the mind. And it will be the state language. This is only a question of time. The irony of this is that everybody is very aware of that. Russian won’t supplant Ukrainian. There is nothing to supplant. Notice how weak is the position of the defenders of the Ukrainian language. They are in favour of Ukrainian as the only state language. And the defenders of Russian are in favour of it. They support two languages. Because they understand which language is more demanded. Let’s be realistic. The second state language will be no more than a formality. There should be the only state language – Russian. Sooner or later it will be.”
In 2012 after electing as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine apologized for his words to the people they could hurt. Interview to Unian, 17.12.2012
“I wish to apologize for my words of which you reminded me. I apologize to all I hurt. I never really thought about it. Only now I thought: how I would react if they told such things about Russian. I would be offended. Maybe I grew up. But I understand that I hurt people who love everything ukrainian as much as I russian. I respect Ukrainian language and certainly love it more than somebody who lives in Vorkuta or Semipalatinsk. I sincerely apologize to people I hurt. Not even with words but with my heart. I didn’t weigh up the power of those words, didn’t not calculated the resonance. But if they remember what I said it means much hurt. My apologies are not political, they are exceptionally human. I thought about people’s feelings but didn’t change my position.”Before the escalation of the conflict in Donbass has initiated the Congress of deputies of all levels “Donbass without weapons” where has insisted on peaceful resolutions to all the issues.
"Those calling for Donbass to withdraw from Ukraine I’d like to answer that it’s like to throw yourself from the 10th floor if you are not satisfy with the HMO’s services. Jump out of the window is the simplest and the swiftest way to solve the problem. But what awaits us at the end of this falling? If we are not satisfied with the rules of life in this house we should stay in the house entitled Ukraine and force to restore order that is acceptable to all citizens, to all residents of Donetsk region".Before the escalation of the conflict in Donbass has initiated the Congress of deputies of all levels “Donbass without weapons” where has insisted on peaceful resolutions to all the issues.
"Those calling for Donbass to withdraw from Ukraine I’d like to answer that it’s like to throw yourself from the 10th floor if you are not satisfy with the HMO’s services. Jump out of the window is the simplest and the swiftest way to solve the problem. But what awaits us at the end of this falling? If we are not satisfied with the rules of life in this house we should stay in the house entitled Ukraine and force to restore order that is acceptable to all citizens, to all residents of Donetsk region".
On 22 July 2014 following the vote on the presidential decree on partial mobilization made a statement: “Today we understood that authority will continue to kill Ukrainians”. In response to this Levchenko switched off the microphone. Parliamentary speaker Aleksandr Turchynov urged “the fifth column that serves Putin” to stop provocations. Thereafter a fight ensued and the issue about removal Levchenko from the conference room was set out.
Evaluation of activity
Levchenko’s statement about Russian as a second state language generated sharp debates. Such Ukrainian politicians as Taras Chornovil and Anna German criticized him.
On 8 May 2011 at the briefing Rinat Akhmetov said about Levchenko in the film “Another Chelsea”:
“I can say that he (Levchenko – ed.) was honest, as such as he is. You should ashamed of cheating, not telling truth. He was natural, frank and honest. I think he saw a good side of himself at some moments and didn’t like himself at others. I like honest people. At least he didn’t rent some flat and show that he live bad. I respect him for honesty. I think he’d better answer other question himself".