Ukraine a grey area

The liberal weekly Magyar Narancs says Ukraine has only itself to blame for its present predicament and calls for more political pressure from the EU. "All Ukraine has to do is sign long-term contracts in accordance with European principles and start paying more for Russian gas in a transparent way - of course only gradually - and Russia would go along with this. If it took this course of action and launched a comprehensive energy reform - entailing a break with the wasteful and irrational policy of using gas as the main energy source for its industry and people - it would come a step closer to Europe. It won't help that Ukraine is more democratic than Russia if its political elite is incapable of acting according to European principles. ... Instead of giving Ukraine money the EU should insist on its adhering to the European system of values and offer Kiev the prospect of membership coupled to strict and binding conditions. Otherwise Ukraine will remain a grey area."

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