New Ukrainian self-confidence in the gas conflict

Ukraine and Russia have agreed on punctual gas deliveries this winter. The result of negotiations between the two countries owes much to Ukraine's newly acquired self-confidence, writes the left-liberal Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Last winter it was above all Russian-speaking East Ukrainians who were left without gas, and now public anger is not directed at President Viktor Yushchenko in Kiev but at the Russian neighbour. The gas wars have strengthened solidarity in Ukraine, like the successes of their football team in recent years. ... This new, growing feeling of national pride - including in the southern and eastern parts of the second-largest former Soviet republic is fostered by the media. And the media is in the hands of the industrial oligarchs, who have kept a very close eye on how Putin's Kremlin has toyed with Russias oligarchs. They want to remain master in their own house in Ukraine, which is why they are keen to prevent Moscow from taking control over the county."

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