euro|topics - Ukraine divided over Russia

Main focus of Thursday, September 4, 2008

Ukraine divided over Russia

The Ukrainian governing coalition of President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is once again faced with a break-up. The crisis has arisen over differing views of Russia's action in the Caucasus. In addition, together with the pro-Russian opposition Tymoshenko's party has voted to limit the power of the president. Is this the end of the "Orange Revolution"?

Gazeta Wyborcza - Poland

The liberal daily Gazeta Wyborcza voices concern at the break-up of the governing coalition over the independence of democratic Ukraine: "Moscow is the only one to profit by the conflict between the politicians of the Orange Revolution. ... In the event that the democratic change which began four years ago ends in a catastrophe and a debacle for the victors of Maidan [Independence Square in Kiev], Russia will draw Ukraine back into its sphere of influence. And if that happens it will then replace them with a single person. What happened on Tuesday and Wednesday in Kiev only brings us closer to this catastrophe. ... Poland's government must shake up its partners in Kiev as quickly as possible and explain to them - if possible loudly and in not too many words - that what matters is not who will be president of Ukraine in 18 months. What is important is that Ukraine should be ruled by a democratically elected president and not a governor general." (04/09/2008)

Der Standard - Austria

Der Standard newspaper calls on the contesting parties to settle their differences and present a united front in view of Russia's power politics: "The new edition of the orange coalition ... has fallen victim to the old rivals' power struggles. ... The crisis in the Caucasus has sharpened the conflict, because relations with Russia have always been a sensitive issue in the country. ... But precisely because of the difficult situation in the region, the government crisis comes at the wrong time. Certainly, fears of Russian military action in Ukraine may be unfounded. But Moscow's flexing its muscles should also a warning to Kiev, which like Georgia aspires to join the Western alliances. Now is the time for unity, not election campaigning. The parties should think about that in the next ten days." (04/09/2008)

Postimees - Estonia

Postimees newspaper considers that the power struggle between President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is endangering the entire country's development: "There were great hopes after the Orange Revolution that nothing could now stop Ukraine on its path to the West. But the inner tensions we are seeing could do just that, and many of the illusions from four years ago have already been dashed. And yet now is the time, after the Russian aggression against Georgia, for the country to be united, because Moscow will use every weakness to force Ukraine back into its sphere of influence and solve the Crimea question to its advantage. Kiev must now take wise domestic policy decisions, but it also needs the support of the West and clear signals regarding a possible NATO membership." (04/09/2008)

Il Sole 24 Ore - Italy

For the daily Il Sole 24 ore, the new government crisis in Ukraine also poses a problem for the US government. "De facto the vote was against President Viktor Yushchenko, and opened the door wide for the government's resignation. The realistic perspective is a dissolution of the current parliament, the third since 2006. This is a staggering record and highlights the fragility of Ukraine's institutional and political structures. The country is marked by crises and permanent instability, which also have a devastating effect on the economy. Those who want Kiev to join NATO should think about this too. ... This serious crisis happened just before the arrival of US Vice President Dick Cheney, who represents the intervention wing of the Bush government and supports NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine. Cheney will find Yushchenko in the position of a 'lame duck', which means a plus point for Moscow in this international tug of war on post-Soviet turf." (04/09/2008)

» To the complete press review of Thursday, September 4, 2008

Bookmark this page at