Ukraine's Dumb Shadow over War in South Ossetia
“The number of votes of Russophiles amounted to 40 percent of the Ukrainian population, and those who were against accounted for no more than 15 percent. Others were more or less indifferent. A clear geographical division was distinct. The opponents of Russia were concentrated in five western regions of Ukraine - in Galicia, and also partially in Volyn and Rivne regions. In many respects, this attitude was determined by the fact that these territories had long been under the control of Poland and Austria-Hungary. Crimea, east and south were for Russia."
“What is the position of the Ukrainian leadership in relation to Abkhazia and South Ossetia now?”
“If in the August days of 2008 Yanukovych almost unequivocally supported Russia, now the situation is somewhat different. He openly declared that Ukraine was not going to recognize independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This statement should not be regarded as a turn towards the West. This means that Yanukovych, in contrast to Yushchenko, has decided to build a uniform relationship with all parties. When Yanukovych celebrated his 60-year anniversary, Mikhail Saakashvili came personally to congratulate him. I, among other political analysts and journalists, was invited to Georgia."
“What about the fact that recently the Georgian side detained a Ukrainian ship on its way to Abkhazia?”
“It is not surprising. After all, Ukraine does not intend to abandon the development of economic ties with the “territories of frozen conflicts,” public entities like Abkhazia and Transdniestria, where it has its own interests."
“Is there any hope that Yanukovych's position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia will dramatically change?”
“No, he does not need drastic steps. He will not do it unless he is forced by the deteriorating economic situation in the country. Only in this case and for a lot of money he would recognize their independence. And so, most likely, he will be like Lukashenko. The fact is that despite the presence of prominent pro-Russian layer among Ukrainians, even here Russophile has its limits. In general, there is no more than fifteen percent of the total Ukrainian population who wished to be reunited with Russia. And most of the pro-Russian Ukrainians like Russia “through an intermediary” - the Party of Regions, whose leaders tend to make sweeping statements, but not always inclined to make equivalent actions."
Sergei Balmasov
Pravda.Ru
