Certainly a seedy country, but undeniably attractive.
At first glance, Ukraine political scene is incredibly elusive.
Despite its non-bloc status that came into force barely a year ago, President Yanukovych declared that the NATO-proposal of implementing the ABM on Ukraine territory will be worked on.
Once again, the President has been faithful to its «taking part without joining» policy, a permanent feature in Ukraine foreign policy for a few years now.
The Orange Revolution, seen once as a genuine step towards democracy, seems to be a long gone memory by now.
Although little but genuine success on the international scene, political infighting has, once again, undermined Ukraine’s credibility, proving that Ukraine national disease diagnosed as «Ukraine fatigue» will be more difficult that thought to overcome.
Since the Orange Revolution, the incessant political infighting has grown public opinion tired, having the impression that their voice does not matters.
The country is absolutely unpredictable though. While not having the same laverage as Russia, should be more careful about the consequences of its actions.
Being described as a Russian pawn capable of turning Ukraine into a new «little Russia» after the election, President Yanukovych has yet pursued a thriving multi-vectorial foreign policy, following in the footsteps of President Kuchma.
At a time where the future of the European Union is at stake and the integration put on hold, President Yanukovych took the salutary decision to run with the hare and hunting with the hounds.
Putting back the dialogue at the heart of Russia – Ukraine relations, being on the way to sign a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union, the little credibility Ukraine won back thanks to this cautious policy came down like a house of cards, when it has been reported that Yulia Tymoshenko would came up for trial over state treason charges.
As a result, the European Union expressed concerns about Ukraine’s genuine evolution towards rule of law, and Russia got edgy, following the accusations of blackmail with the agreement on gas prices reached over in 2009 by then Prime Minister Tymoshenko, saying that it was perfectly valid.
Yulia Tymoshenko supporters and opponents can easily be found on Kreschatyk, cooped up in demonstrators-designed pens and confronting one another with loud music and noisy speeches that annoy passers-by.
Coming from a country where strikes are part and parcel of the national folklore, Ukrainian people’s reactions to these demonstrations were in fact the real surprise.
At first glance, Ukraine political scene is incredibly elusive.
«This is nonsense», «they are paid to do that», and later in the evening, when loudspeakers stopped, «They probably must drink vodka now» – added a young working woman.
Since the Orange Revolution, the incessant political infighting has grown public opinion tired, having the impression that their voice does not matters.
While in France, embittered speeches are the fact of poor people living in despondent regions, in Ukraine it has no boundaries.
Every social class express the same concerns, from the average student to the real estate owner.
The Orange Revolution, seen once as a genuine step towards democracy, seems to be a long gone memory by now.
This trial, perceived as a settling of scores between oligarchs recalls the chasm between a social class incredibly wealthy and the rest of the population.
It is not unusual to cross by a baboushka in a sorry state, begging for money a few meters away from gleaming and fancy cars parked in front of the most prominent places in the capital.
The middle class concept stays fictional in Ukraine – wether they have a little, wether they are money bags.
The emergence of a national solidarity is a long hard road and President Yanukovych decision to extend the payroll tax age within the pension reform met with disappointment, not to say bitterness.
His approval rate fell by 30% within only a year.
Ukraine suffers from the lack of a social class made up by years of debate and clash of ideas within the Verkhovna Rada, especially knowing that it mostly comes from the soviet innermost circle, not to mention crooked businessmen.
It will take time before the pictures of the Verkovhna Rada, with its members fistfighting and hurling eggs at each other will stop being broadcasted, especially knowing that all this show is only a masquerade.
For the twenty – years celebration of Ukraine independence, Viktor Yanukovych portraits have been set up in town.
What would be regarded as unconceivable in the West is here regarded as something retro, not to say scathing.
Ukraine’s political evolution, from a partly-democratic state in 2004 to a semi-authoritarianism regime in 2010 prompted Freedom House to lower its ranking from «free» to «partly free», making Moldova, regarded in the West as the most seamy place in Europe a more democratic country.
Nonetheless, among 80% of Ukrainian people think that the declaration of independence was a good thing. The day of celebrations, many of them were wearing the traditional vyshyvanka, hanging around in Kyiv.
Nationalism does exist, but it is still looking for a direction.
Since national politicians are untrustable, it is about time Ukrainian people take their fate into their own hands.
Overall, Ukraine is a relatively closed world, and its people have a certain number of domestic issues to solve before even taking interest in what is happening abroad, especially when it has to deal with the overwhelming influence of Russia.
It is not for the moment, an easily accessible country for foreigners, giving the impression to be suspicious about my presence here at first sight.
It is a land of adventure, where one must lose its marks, getting into the ukrainian society to understand it and whose history, even though being part and parcel of the European continent is little-known in Western Europe.
Ukraine is the largest contiguous country on the European continent.
It means that on the one hand, the challenges are considerable but on the other hand, the opportunities are significant, wether in terms of economy, agrobusiness, industry, technological backwardness.
Yet, it has to be equal to the european challenge it aspires to join.
The Eastern Partnership being at standstill and post-soviet countries staying a buffer zone for another ten years.
With Viktor Yanukovych bad move, a breaking point has been reached. By trying to settle the score with Yulia Tymoshenko, going back would sound like a defeat and she surely will gain credibility back.
Nationalism does exist, but it is still looking for a direction.
Therefore, the development of the civil society is one of the main challenges in the country, even though being no exception in Europe.
A striking example are the beaches of Hydropark, accessible by metro within half an hour from the center of Kyiv and far more stylish than Paris-Plage.
Unfortunately, they are sullied by garbage and under the threats of fires that everyone has the right to put on.
A simple legislation such as fines for illegal fires, warning signs and garbage collection would greatly preserv the place and promising much more important receipts.
Saskia Sassen, reknowned sociologist said that the disassembly of the State could be counterbalanced by a reinforcement of civil society.
Since national politicians are untrustable, it is about time Ukrainian people take their fate into their own hands.
For the moment, the country must stall, even more during a period when uncertainty is high and take the bull by the horns.
It gives an impression of self-insecureness, following its path somehow or other, toiling away to find a national aim that would gather everyone.
For all these challenges, it has a huge potential with its flourishing resources, hard-working people and a strong desire to join the European Union.
In some respects, President Yanukovych policy, considering the country geographical disposition is clever and a lead to follow, but not by him.
By a new type of politicians, who would care more about the national interest and the people than their privileges.
Meanwhile, Ukrainians will have to take charge of internal problems, and a lot needs to be done.
Matthieu Crevits is a French student in International Relations at Lille Institute of Political Studies, currently doing an internship at the Institute of Economic Research and Policy Consulting in Kiev.
