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KyivPost

The Globalist: Kyiv's next image problem

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Oct. 22, 2010, 7:52 a.m. |

Activists take part in a rally, marking the 68th anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which fought both Nazi and Soviet forces in World War Two, and the feast of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God, in Kyiv, October 14. (Photos by Yaroslav Debelyi, Olexiy Boyko)

Andreas Umland writes:

Today, the prospect of Ukraine’s rapprochement with, and future entry into, the EU constitutes perhaps the most important political idea in this divided country. It is a goal that still unites almost the entire Ukrainian elite, and it is one of the few political topics on which large portions of Ukraine’s population basically agree. Moreover, the course and results of the 2004 Orange Revolution have created an image of Ukraine that sets this post-Soviet republic apart from other successor states of the USSR. It was an event signaling Ukrainians’ willingness to permanently break with their authoritarian past. Read the story here.
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The Kyiv Post is hosting comments to foster lively debate. Criticism is fine, but stick to the issues. Comments that include profanity or personal attacks will be removed from the site. If you think that a posted comment violates these standards, please flag it and alert us. We will take steps to block violators.
Anonymous Oct. 22, 2010, 3:23 p.m.    

Ukraine is not a country of nazis ! Don't forget the people concerned: they are less than 1%. It's much less than in Austria or Hungary...

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Anonymous Oct. 22, 2010, 4:15 p.m.    

Sadly I think the opportunity for Ukraine to integrate into the EU has past it bu=y, destroyed by Victor Yushenko and hoes party Our Ukraine. Yushchenko consistently opposed Ukraine becoming a PArliamentary democracy and undermined Ukraine;s political stability. The end result is that Ukraine has taken a sharp turn away from democracy and the EU and has adopted a more authoritarian policy and direction.

As long as Ukraine retains Presidential rule it will never be a true independent democratic state.

Yushchenko biggest mistake was not supporting the formation of an Orange governing coalition and his second mistake was unconstitutionally dismissing Ukraine's previous parliament. What good he may have achieved whilst in office has been outweighed by the negative.

Yushchenko will be remembers as the President who betrayed democracy and a nation, its hopes dreams and desires.

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