Now the civil rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine will be respected, so Russian will be also an official language of choice for those schools and oblasts which wish it. At the same time a divisive issue as NATO will be set aside, even if a partnership, as Russia also has, will continue. But relations will be more balanced. Perhaps Ukraine should look at Finland, which never joinied NATO as it was a friend of both Russia and the E.U. The alternative for the future would be just for the Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts to form a common Donbas Republic with Rostov inside the Russian Federation, and part of the Southern District, and Crimea becoming another subject of the Russian Federation also part of the Southern District and closely linked to the Tourist area developed in Sochi. Meanwhile, Western Ukraine would adopt the Roman alphabet, strengthen its relationship with the Catholic church and finally joining the E.U. and NATO....

Its time to build a single Ukraine. Ukraine actually has a unique opportunity to become an independent leader and voice in the region, it has only to learn from the mistakes of other Russian neighbors and chart a course that unifies its people and brings prosperity to them. However, this is not a simple task, it will require clear control and direction along a path that is inclusive of the core needs and aspirations of the two desperate camps. In terms of clear control, Yanukovich must remove Timoshenko from the political head, and reach out to the next tier down position in her organization. This is not to be sour at her, it is just to provide a single direction and disable fighting, which appears to be her stock and trade. Ukraine needs a clear single management team that is reaching out to both sides of the divide. There can only be one head and direction, that takes into account the two views and delivers a plan and execution based on common needs, not established differences. In terms of direction, Ukraine needs to be nationalistic, in the best sense, to look after itself, but it must also realize what the underpinning of that in society is. The truth is that the Ukrainian and Russian languages need to be supported equally, that Ukraine must not be too close to the EU or Russia in terms of influence, but must instead establish commercial opportunities and free movement with both poles. Ukraine should pursue all opportunities east and west, to create trade and jobs, it should look for harmony with neighbors and not discord. Ukraine should look to smile not scowl, Ukraine's prosperous future relies on people in work, earning good wages and enjoying prosperity. It is time for Ukraine to put all its people first. It would be a tragedy to see Ukraine continually held back by tribal leaders, who want nothing else but to have it their way. Ukraine needs the people instead to have it their way. Good Luck Ukraine!

Ukraine has a unique chance to become a bridge between both sides. What Poland would not and could not do Ukraine can. This mostly depends on the political craftsmanship of their leaders - I dont know if both candidates that currently hold power are mature for that.

February 09, 2010, 22:07, from Poland wrote > Ukraine has a unique chance to become a bridge between both sides. What Poland would not and could not do Ukraine can. This mostly depends on the political craftsmanship of their leaders - I dont know if both candidates that currently hold power are mature for that. Answer: both of them are crooks. They come from former USSR. Neither is liked by its people. For any change to happen, the whole generation should change. Things will be the same in our country until need people appear in the governemtn.

February 09, 2010, 09:27, Count Cash wrote This statement: Ukraine actually has a unique opportunity to become an independent leader and voice in the region The only way for us to become an independent leader is to create some nuclear weapon. Without it, nobody is going to listen to our voice. The stronger is always respected. Or we would need to have some support from NATO. We won't have either of them... so forget about respect to our country. Ex. It is a well known fact that 1933 was a genocide against Ukrainian people by Russia. Everybody knows that. Nevertheless... Western country won't admit that fact and why is that? Well, because Russia is against it! And every country respects Russia. Why? Well, you know why. --Yanukovich must remove Timoshenko from the political head-- you are so right about it. This is no good in our country to have to leaders thinking about going in different directs. ---In terms of direction, Ukraine needs to be nationalistic, in the best sense, to look after itself,--- You got my respect. We don't need EU and we don't need Russia. Neither will help. EU does not need us. Are all country in EU so good? Is every person in EU cares about Ukraine and lives of its people? Come on, nobody needs us until we have enough money to buy their products. Same story about Russia. Nobody wants to help us in Russia. They want our land, they want our market, they want our money, they want everything but not to help us.

February 09, 2010, 02:18, Enrique wrote > Now the civil rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine will be respected, so Russian will be also an official language of choice for those schools and oblasts which wish it. ENRIQUE... it is obvious that you have never been in Ukraine. The Russian language was always respected and most people speak Russian. Do you claim Russian language was not respected? We have passports written in both, Russian and Ukrainian. We can fill our any documents in both languages. How more respect do you need? The language issue should be laughed at! Come to Ukraine, you will see real issues to talk about. > The alternative for the future would be just for the Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts to form a common Donbas Republic with Rostov inside the Russian Federation, and part of the Southern District, and Crimea becoming another subject of the Russian Federation also part of the Southern District. WHAT ARE TALKING ABOUT? Would you like to separate our country? Okay, say I live in Poltava, Ukraine. And you say Donetsk, a city where I have relatives, should become a part of Russia? So, that means I will need to receive a visa to actually stay and visit my relatives for more than a month? No thanks! > Meanwhile, Western Ukraine would adopt the Roman alphabet, strengthen its relationship with the Catholic church and finally joining the E.U. and NATO.... This is crazy! Why do we need Roman alphabet? Does your country have more history? Don't you respect your roots and origins? How can you wish that to another country? We don't need EU because EU does not need us.

Alex, I would have to agree with your analysis, that nuclear weapons would give you full independence. In all honesty, nuclear weapons have been the only thing from stopping the US and NATO from invading Russia. Indeed with the total breakdown in international law, with illegal invasions now popular for regime change, I would have to say that nuclear weapons are now your only guarantee of security. Indeed this is why countries want them. I said to a Taiwanese friend maybe 15 years ago, that if a country has oil and doesn't have a nuclear weapon, then you will be invaded. The prediction was pretty accurate. So hands down I have to agree with you. However, with nuclear weapons comes another whole set of issues, that would mire Ukraine in such an international political and economic mess that it would not serve its people right now. My personal view is that Ukraine needs to acknowledge that it will always be in a military precarious state, because it doesn't have nuclear weapons, and live with it. Instead I think Ukraine needs to use smart politics to deal with security issues and use all its resources and effort to get people working, get their standard of living up, get them united as one nation, keep them educated... This is blunt practicality, it is saying I know I am not 100% safe, buy that this situation will not turn me into a frightened wreck in the corner. Instead I am going to make friends with my neighbours, through honesty, and not engage in divisive playing off one against another. I am going to build a united and prosperous Ukraine. I am going to lead in the region and show that being a nationalistic, honest country with a focus on my people's prosperity, that I can step away frm counterproductive alignements, and instead look to create a neutral Ukraine with good neighbors all around. Then when you do this, having nuclear weapons will become redundant. Unfortunately it is not an option for us (Russians) as we have oil. Look forwad to your future!

The Ukrainian political scene is in disarray because the Ukrainian people permit their elected officials to play with their emotions. One insidious characteristic of the Orange Revolution was the incessant anti-Russian propaganda that agitated the western Ukrainians against their eastern Russian speaking brothers and sisters. Of course, America, NATO and EU were pleased with the Orange Revolution anti-Russian agitation, but it only sowed chaos and misfortune for the Ukrainian people. My advice to the Ukrainian people is to distance themselves from anyone who comes to them trying to sow discourse and mistrust between the Ukrainian and Russian speaking people of Ukraine. America, NATO and EU, have not abandoned their plans to tear Ukraine away from friendly relations with the Russian Federation - so be on guard. Too bad that the Georgian people have been unable to discard their delusional tie-eating Mikheil Saakashvili who seems to seek his fortune and salvation snuggling up to the two old egoistic American senators, Lugar and McCain.