The April 10 airplane crash claimed much more than the life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, renowned for his dedication to the principles of freedom, democracy and just prosperity. Also on-board and missed will be many other dedicated Polish advocates for Ukraine’s long struggle to break from a bloody history as a vassal state between Russia and Poland.
The vanquished Polish elite saw a successful Ukraine as a necessary buffer between their homeland and an aggressive Russia. Their strong lobbying in Brussels for Ukraine’s European Union and NATO membership aspirations was vital. Will Kaczynski’s domestic political opponents, led by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, be fainter allies of Ukraine as they try to improve ties with the autocratic Kremlin?
Across the Atlantic Ocean, the red carpet treatment Viktor Yanukovych received from U.S. President Barack Obama this week looks, at first glance, like the beginning of a healthy friendship. But it’s an illusion that does not bode well for the average Ukrainian citizen.
Ukraine’s president masterfully played Obama, winning priceless photo opportunities and a few minutes of conversation that effectively legitimizes his controversial coalition and monopolistic power grab at home. Obama wanted to show success for his nonproliferation agenda, aimed at reducing the risk of nuclear accidents and terrorism. Yanukovych obliged the U.S. president by announcing that Ukraine would give up its small remaining stockpiles of enriched uranium, a nice symbolic gesture.
Obama is right to engage, rather than isolate. But the American president is more concerned about relationships with major powers, such as China and Russia, rather than promoting democracy and human rights in nations such as Ukraine. Leaders in both Brussels and Washington are wrong to go soft on Yanukovych. The outside world appears happy that Ukraine has a functioning government, no matter how it functions.
But it’s hypocrisy when the world’s "beacons of democracy" ignore infringements on democracy. And the consequences will be suffered by Ukrainians, who cannot count on outside support to battle injustices at home.
Time and opportunities remain to draw the clear line against Yanukovych’s excesses. This will be a necessary step in building genuine, deep and long-term international friendships with 46 million Ukrainians who still want their nation to enjoy the fruits of democracy and prosperity in their lifetimes.
