Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

What makes a nation truly independent? It’s not the flag, the national anthem, the president, the parliament or the national football team. These are the trappings of independence, but not its essence.

True independence isn’t achieved once and for all and enshrined in a symbol. It is something fought for every day, and is expressed, above all, by a country’s freedom to make its own decisions and its ability to protect and provide for its citizens.

Sadly, Ukraine fails on both these basic accounts.

It remains in a slavish energy relationship with former overlord Russia and, since President Viktor Yanukovych came to power on Feb.25, again allows onto its territory Russian politicians, such as Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who question its sovereignty.

But this failure proceeds from Ukraine’s even greater weakness – the damage done to it by venal ruling elites, who use power to line their own pockets and benefit themselves ahead of working for the country’s citizens to strengthen its economy, infrastructure and administration.

By putting themselves first, these leeches suck the life out of the country, leaving a weak, half-dead body for those who so desire to devour at will. Weakness is the opposite of independence.

Let’s take ex-President Viktor Yushchenko for example, a man who spent much of his presidency in a dreamy fight for Ukrainian independence. He continues to live in a state mansion, despite having been ousted from office in February after gaining a humiliating 5 percent of the vote.

Or what about his successor, Yanukovych?

While the majority of Ukraine’s roads are filled with potholes and desperately need renovating, his route to work is being resurfaced at top speed, perhaps so he doesn’t bang his perfectly coiffed hair on the roof of his Mercedes.

Meanwhile, ministers drive around in chauffer-driven luxury Mercedes – many of them speeding past state road police sitting on the shoulder in Soviet-made Ladas.

No doubt we will see leaders such as these on billboards and television screens congratulating Ukrainians on independence. But which one of them is acting in a way that enhances Ukraine’s independence?