Some thoughts on Ukraine, June 28, 2008

Reuters reports that the precursor to negotiations between Russian and Ukraine on natural gas pricing has begun for 2009. Opening positions from Russia seem to indicate that the price will more than double.

This would put the price of natural gas to Ukraine at eight times that paid in 2005. Reuters also reports that consumer prices in Ukraine are expected to rise to 21.5%.

Whether or not Poland and Ukraine will host the promised 2012 European Football (soccer) Championship is in serious doubt. In Ukraine the major stadium must be refurbished, work isn’t proceeding and the government apparently lacks the focus to move the agenda.

Final determination about Poland and Ukraine will be made in September 2008.

The Kyiv Post states, “It is no secret that Ukraine’s education, medical and law enforcement systems are in shambles.” The article discusses the well known and rampant use of bribes to these professions.

And then there is the bickering between the President and Prime Minister; this even though they are (were) part of the controlling coalition.

New elections loom and these are coming after September 2007 elections which reinstalled Yulia Tymoshenko as Prime Minister.

Just to put a thorn in the side of it all are the verbal public attacks between Russia and Ukraine about the future of the part of the Russian fleet whose home port is in Sevastopol, Crimea.

Regardless of who owns what, Ukraine says the fleet must go and 2017 is the drop dead date. Russia says that the fleet will stay regardless of any deadlines.

This is a serious issue of national pride mixed with military strategy, a deadly combination.

The prospect of Ukraine joining NATO raises anger in many parts of Ukraine and in the whole of Russia.

Finally to make things interesting there is a gang of thugs in Russia bent on punishing the Baltic Nations and Ukraine for the effrontery of acting like they are independent of Russia.

It is rumored that there will be a new wave of cyber attacks from these bullies against their assumed enemies of the beloved Stalinist Russia they wish to resurrect.

If I had a wish or two, the Ukrainian government would stabilize around democratic principles and without the need for bribes.

Ukraine would not bite off more than it can chew and Ukraine and Russia would declare a real truce.

My goodness, I would wish these for the United States of America also. How strange!

David  

Worth Reading: To understand this news and commentary one must understand where the Luhanska and Liviska Oblasts (administrative regions).

Luhanska is the most eastern Ukrainian Oblast and is somewhat rectangular in shape. Its western border is shared with the Donetsk Oblast. Its northern, eastern and southern borders make the national boundary between Russia and Ukraine.

Lvivska Oblast is at the opposite end of Ukraine and borders on Poland. 

z i k  information is power

Wednesday June 4, 2008

“Svoboda’s Lviv branch accuses Luhansk oblast council of creating anti-Ukrainian reservation: appeal to president, NDSC and prosecution”

“Addressing a session of the Lviv oblast council June 4, Svoboda’s Olexy Kajda made public a petition to Pres Yushchenko, National Defense and Security Council and Prosecutor General’s Office demanding protection for the Ukrainian patriotic children’s camp Druzhba whose work is being harassed by Luhansk oblast council deputies.

“May 29 session of the Luhansk oblast council began its work with a turmoil made by Party of Regions deputies. They were angered by the fact that the first Ukrainian camp for patriotic children was to be opened in the oblast.

“PoR deputies approved a resolution instructing prosecutors and secret service to screen the activity of the camp.

“As may have been expected, law-enforcement agencies’ reaction was quick, and numerous inspecting teams converged on a private businessman and head of Luhansk Svoboda branch Dmytro Snigeriov who sponsored the camp.

“Officials succeeded in disrupting the opening of the camp due June 1. It is unclear at the moment when the camp will open, given a fierce opposition by local lawmakers.”