You're reading: Bondarenko: Almost no skeptics in Brussels who do not believe in signing of EU-Ukraine Association Agreement

Most Europeans now see Ukraine and the processes taking place in it in a more sober and balanced way, devoid of stereotypical attitudes, and the degree of tension between the sides has declined, political analyst Kost Bondarenko has said.

He said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine that the
Europeans realized that relations with Ukraine should not be reduced
solely to the case of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

“In April and May [2013], there were several landmark moments that
changed the relations between Kyiv and Brussels. First and foremost,
[former Interior Minister] Yuriy Lutsenko was released. Secondly, there
was an important visit to Brussels by Secretary of the National Security
and Defense Council of Ukraine Andriy Kliuyev, after which the European
Union removed a number of preliminary requirements to Ukraine. Thirdly,
the president appointed Kostiantyn Yeliseyev as commissioner for
integration issues, stressing the importance of the European vector of
integration. In general, we can say that that Ukraine has made
significant progress in relations with the EU,” Bondarenko said.

He noted that this view had been supported by almost all participants
in a round table “EU-Ukraine: Prospects for the Vilnius Summit,” which
was held in Brussels, including MEP Pawel Zalewski, Deputy Head of
Ukraine’s Mission to the European Union Nadiya Tsok, Head of the Eastern
Promises Project at the European Policy Center Amanda Paul and others.

“Almost all speakers expressed confidence that the Association
Agreement between Ukraine and the EU would be signed this year. However,
it was also noted that the EU expects Ukraine to meet all of the
requirements that were outlined in the April statement following Andriy
Kliuyev’s visit to Brussels,” Bondarenko said.

He said that Europe understands that a constant emphasis on the case
of Tymoshenko is bringing relations between the parties to a standstill.
Moreover, “the question of Tymoshenko” is beyond the sphere of
possibilities of the president or the executive structures – one more
case against the former prime minister is being considered and the
mechanism of pardon cannot be applied until the proceedings are
completed. And the pardon will achieve nothing, as Tymoshenko will still
be unable to engage in politics or business after her release from
prison, he said.

Bondarenko noted that many politicians in Europe are annoyed by the
arbitrary interpretation of the verdict of the European Court of Human
Rights.

“On the sidelines of the round table one of the participants came up
to me and tried to explain that Ukraine misinterpreted the ECHR
judgment. I advised him to forward this question to opposition members
who are trying to convince the public that the court ruled as unlawful
the verdict against Tymoshenko, rather than the measure of restraint.
You get the impression that Tymoshenko is being double-crossed by her
own team.”

He said that in his speech at the round table he said he was a
cautious optimist, with emphasis on the word “optimism.” While
explaining his position, he said that on the one hand, almost for the
first time in history, there is a consensus among Ukrainian politicians
regarding the need for European integration and the signing of the
agreement.

“Most people in Ukraine are certain that we need to move towards
Europe. There is progress on this road. In recent years, despite the
tension in relations with the EU, we have managed to do more than over
the entire orange era. The necessary legislative acts and regulatory
documents were adopted, the text of the Association Agreement was
initialed, etc,” he said.

On the other hand, Bondarenko said, there is the position of several EU countries that traditionally demonstrate intransigence.

“There’s the position of Russia. There are lobbyist groups that use
huge resources aimed against Ukraine’s integration into the EU. Finally,
there is a ‘fifth column’ in Ukraine. Therefore it’s too early to speak
of a complete victory. But I believe that the agreement will be signed
this year,” the analyst said.

Bondarenko said that the agreement itself cannot be an end in itself or an ultimate goal.

“Even today, it’s necessary to think and clearly articulate our next
steps and our next goals. The agreement is still not European
integration. This is one of the points on our road to Europe. A lot more
still needs to be done for real EU integration,” he said.