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Ukraine-Russia: friends will be friends
Published: 13 February, 2010, 12:09
Edited: 27 February, 2010, 10:37
TAGS: Military, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, Politics
Ukraine’s relationship with Russia has been on the rocks in recent years - but that is about to change, according to the incoming Ukrainian president.
As congratulations from world leaders continue to flow in, the newly-elected Viktor Yanukovich has pledged to reverse policies that have sparked rows with Russia.
Yanukovich spoke to Russian TV channels, saying his country is ready to back President Dmitry Medvedev’s proposal for a new pan-European security treaty.
He also said Ukraine has no plans to step up cooperation with NATO – and that joining the alliance is not on the agenda.
On another divisive issue, Yanukovich said Kiev is likely to extend the lease of Russia's naval base on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast, set to expire in 2017.
“We have plenty of issues to discuss, because over the past five years, relations between Russia and Ukraine have been troubled, and decisions have been postponed or passed over. We need to return to the friendly way our relations were conducted in the past, and work together for the good of both countries,” Yanukovich said.
A political analyst from Moscow University of International Relations, Kirill Koktysh, sees good reasons behind Yanukovich’s cautious tone.
“According to Ukraine’s Constitution, the president should rely on a parliamentary majority. This is a challenge for Yanukovich, who has a tough and unpredictable battle ahead. That’s why he should be cautious giving promises to the West or to the East,” Koktysh told RT.
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7 comments
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Eurasian (Customs) Union would be OK, but European (Monetary and Military) Union too. Ukraine will not join NATO so, Ukraine would strengthen the policy of neutrality in EU and the position of the non-aligned countries in EU such as Sweden, Finland, Austria, Irland, Malta. That would help EU to construct its own defence policy and help EU to avoid too strong a pressure from USA and NATO. And, in order to be a bridge between West and East, Ukraine could co-operate with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO and with the Russian CSTO Rapid Response Forces in the framework of EU Treaty.
Is my dearest wish that the Ukraine will join the to-be "Eurasian (Customs) Union". But for that to happen it first has to be established and WORKING between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan (and hopefuly Kyrgyzstan). But the thriving force behind this integration has to be the Kremlin, yet I have heard only a few quite hollow words from Putin or Medevedev (as all concerning the poor CIS), and have seen NO actions whatsoever! It is appaling: if Russia wants to be a superpower again and a "democratic Eurasian empire", then Moscow has to take serious action. This movement can be started and put through ONLY by Russia. And so many people in the post-Soviet region WANT integration! It sad to see that progress concerning this matter is caused only as a REACTION to NATO and American imperialism, rather than DIRECT ACTION by Russia! THAT HAS TO CHANGE! However there is one point I have to agree to with the Eurasian integration sceptics: If you are the Ukraine or Moldova, let's say, which organisation would you join - the relatively prospering, rich, quite free and democratic European Union or the reinvention of the CIS, i.e. the "Eurasian Union (by now only a customs union", whose would-be members have a still quite "failed" economy (because mainly resource based), an enterprise-unfriendly jurisdicially nihilistic attitude combined whith horrendous red-tape, bureaucracy and corruption, and a traditional problem with civil rights. Who's more appealing? If Russia can improve in these matters (and the 1st priority is the economy), then there will be an active reason for former Soviet states to align themselves with Russia in a "Eurasion Union". All political problems will then be only second grade. As Lenin said - "Politics is concentrated economics"! Would be nice to hear your opinions!)
Ernesto, why do you think that Ukrainians, who in great absolute majority reject idea of joining NATO, would want to join something called "European Military Union"? Why do you think that they would accept the same idea, a military block dominated by western nations, under a new name? I think they would not! More than half of Ukrainians even today actively speak and use Russian language, and in case of any attempt to push Ukraine into any "Military Union" we would witness split of Ukraine. And that means civil war in Ukraine! In that case of course Russia would not just stand idle and watch considering that great majority of Ukraine was part of Russia for centuries. Of course in case of split of Ukraine it would not be in two parts since we have witnessed for many decades that Carpatho-Rusyns and other Slavic peoples in the far west of Ukraine actively seek support from Russia (a few years ago they called for creation of "Carpathian Russia"). We have already seen what happens in Ukraine when one tries to exploit its geographic position in order to advance its own interests against Russia. We have seen that destabilization in the past 5 years when puppets of the western powers ruled in Ukraine. They caused not only economic devastation but also political insatiability. Any "Military Union" dominated by western nations will not find its place in Ukraine, just like not in Georgia. One way or another! Idea of (any part of) Ukraine in any western military block, NATO or "European Military Union", is as perverse as Canada or Island in the Russia dominated CSTO!?! NATO has reached its natural limits, and even extended it. Ukraine is a Slavic orthodox nation and shares thousand year common history, traditions, culture, origins with Russia. Ukraine has its place where it found it in the past - together with Russia and Belarus. Western nations should finally get rid of the colonial mentality for their own sake and find ways to cooperate with Slavic orthodox East.