Ukraine Today - An Independent Political Review

Source: Ukrainian News The European Union rules out imposition of any sanction against Ukraine for the jailing of former prime minister and leader of the Batkivschyna All-Ukrainian Association party Yulia Tymoshenko. Miroslav Lajcak, the European Union's chief negotiator and the managing director for Russia, eastern neighborhood, and the western Balkans in the European Union's external action service, stated this in an interview with the Channel 5 television station on October 29. "I do not even want to think about it, because the quality of our relations with Ukraine is much higher. We are not talking about sanctions, and we do not want to think about it. For us, Ukraine is a very important partner within the European partnership, the country with which we have made the most progress in the preparation of agreements on association and free trade area, and the country that holds the presidency of the Council of Europe," he said. Lajcak also said th

The European Parliament passed a rather weak mooted resolution on Ukraine, holding out the possibility that it may still be a possible for Ukraine to become a member state of the EU .  But it did not provide any assurances, time lines or definitive requirements, other then weak possibilities Foreign notes LEvko , provided a link to the resolution of the European parliament (Copy below). Of note is Item 7. [The EU Parliament] Takes the view that a failure to review Yulia Tymoshenko's conviction will jeopardise the conclusion of the Association Agreement and its ratification, while pushing the country further away from the realisation of its European perspective; expresses concern at some signs of decline in democratic freedoms and at the possible instrumentalisation of state institutions for partisan purposes and to exact political revenge; In addition, is item 11. Strongly supports the recommendations put forward in the joint opinion of the Venice Commission and t

The Venice Commission on October 13 published its initial review of Ukraine's proposed changes to the electoral law and representational model in the lead-up to the 2012 parliamentary elections . for those interested in democratic representation, it is a paper worth reading. The Commission's review has highlighted many of the perceived problems with the proposed model. A number of points of criticism worthy of being noted include: Limitation on the right to stand for anyone convicted of a deliberate crime, regardless of the severity of the crime committed, which is contrary to OSCE commitments, numerous recommendations of OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission in the electoral field, good practice and other international standards. The Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR are aware that such limitation is based on the Article 76 of the Constitution of Ukraine and hope that this problem will be considered when the Constitution is revised; Lack of clear criteria and deadlines f

Ukraine Jurist, Vasyl Onopenko, has retired from Ukraine's Supreme Court, hsi appointment not renewed. report Kyiv Post Onopenko was a modern jurist who understood the inner workings and faults of Ukraine's judicial system. He also understood how it should work. he was also a member of Parliament elected as part of Yulia Tymsohenko's bloc but he stresses that on being appointed to the Supreme Court he would not not be partisan ion his judgements. Last year Onopenko had reported that he and his family had been the subject of a number of threats which he took seriously. In June 2007, at the height of controversial legal challenges facing Ukraine arising from Victor Yushchenko's dismissal of Ukraine's previous parliament, Onopenko gave an interview reported by Zerkalo nedeli (24 (653) 23 — 29 June 2007) This interview highlights a number of flaws in the Judicial process and in particular the level of political interference in Ukraine. The interview was in response

Foreignnotes - one of the best blogs on what's happening in Ukrainian Politics, (thought provoking and rational insight into the Ukrainian politic) has commentary on three possible scenarios that may follow the conviction of Yulia Tymoshenko originally published by Segodnya’ newspaper , these scenarios are not so fanciful as they might seam. Option One (60%) Do nothing and work behind the scenes to avoid the crisis and hope that the issue will die down and resolve itself in time. Option Two (30%) Apply sanctions and run the risk of causing a economic meltdown the consequences of which are unknown Option Three (10%) Wait for or fuel protests movements and hope for the eventual uprising of the Ukraine people that would spawn another revolution and the overthrow of the government LEvko of Foriegnnotes thinks that the percentage of option one and two are the other way around - Option one 30%, Option two 60% The three options are not exclusive of each other and depending

The opening of the Lviv Euro 2012 stadium on October 29 is an opportunity not to be missed. Instead of boycotts and other negative protests the people of Lviv should attend the opening of the Lviv stadium on mass, each one holding up a Yulia poster or other image of her in remembrance and defiance. They could wear a Yulia Tymoshenko scarf or T-shirt and remain in absolute silence during the opening speech. The image of such a protest would be significant and one that would be reported across the world. A sea of Yulia through-out the stadium. The silence and image would be deafening.

http://youtu.be/f5pur4-dfiY 1:45 The 2012 US presidential election will exceed 1 BILLION dollars for each candidate 2:20Where does that come from and at what price? 2:28 Parliamentary System (Including the US) 3:30What is left of America’s democratic system ? 3:50The system is not working and the public know it

The people of Ukraine must take collective responsibility for their own Governance. Ukraine MUST reform its Constitution and implement a full parliamentary model of government (Along the lines of Estonia and Latvia - both former Soviet States that are now relatively successful EU member states) Ukraine MUST remove power and authority from the office of the President  and have the parliament elect the head of state on the basis of a two-thirds constitutional majoiorty  (Again in line with Estonia and Latvia's provisions) Ukraine MUST reform the Parliament to make it more accountable and representative of the people. (This can best be achieved by establishing 45 local electorates with each electorate electing 9 members of parliament using a single transferable proportional representation voting system) The Executive government SHOULD be elected from and by members of the parliament (As is the case under the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy) Ukraine MUST

In the analysis of David Marples published by Kyiv Post David Marples leaves out part of the history behind Ukraine's poliical manoverings which all play a part in the events that are unfolding today. Much of it has roots to Yushchenko's failed term of office Marples correctly stated "The presence within this group of Firtash is possiblythe most significant. An ally of former president Viktor Yushchenko, heestablished a position for his company RosUkrEnergo as an intermediary in thebitter gas war between Russia and Ukraine. Firtash offered to buy the gas fromRussia and resell it to Ukraine." Here lies much of the problem Victor Yushchenko, Ukraine's past President,fuelled by resentment and desire for revenge, against Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's past Prime-minster. Yushchenko,blames Tymoshenko for his political demise and low standing in the polls. Truth is Yushchenko has only himself to blame. Victor Yushchenko persistently attacked and undermined those who

Date: 5 October 2011   He noted that the Ukrainian authorities, the Justice Ministry and the working group have done good work to improve the electoral law, although it still has many flaws. Markert recalled that Ukraine currently has a proportional election system with a 3% election threshold. "What we do not like in this system, and what, I think most people in Ukraine do not like in this system, is that it is a system with a single election list, without any constituencies, which means that whether you live in Kyiv or in Donetsk, you still have the same candidate," the commission's secretary said. He recalled that the Venice Commission recommended Ukraine should retain a proportional system and then gradually introduce regional lists and open lists, in which voters will be able to decide who will be their candidate. At the same time, the proposed bill greatly changes the election system and envisages the return to mixed-member proportiona

Kyiv Post Donetsk, Kyiv, Brussels Oct.18, Donetsk President Viktor Yanukovych is to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Donetsk. The talks are part of Ukraine's latest attempt to get lower prices for Russian natural gas imports vital to the nation's economy. Oct.18, Kyiv Parliament reconvenes to consider changes to the 1962 Soviet criminal code that still governs Ukraine today. Talks center on decriminalization of economic crimes and political decisions of the type that Tymoshenko was convicted of committing. Oct.20, Brussels Yanukovych is tentatively scheduled to visit Brussels, the administrative capital of the 27-nation European Union, for more talks on a free-trade agreement. However, some in Europe want to boycott meetings with Yanukovych until Tymoshenko is set free. Others want to conclude free-trade negotiations, but withhold ratification of an agreement. Oct.24, Kyiv A delegation of the International Monetary Fund is

The flawed systen of governance in Ukraine has been in place much longer then Yanukovych.Even under Yushchenko the system was corrupt.What is not reported is that the media is that the persecution of Tymoshenko in relation to the Gas negotiations was initiated by Victor Yushchenko and his self appointed National Security Council. The allegations that the gas suppply contract entered into by Tymoshenko was detrimental to Ukraine's interests is very subjective. The damage and economic cost arising from Tymoshenko's persecution is far greater than the claimed loss of 188 Million. Ukraine relationships with the international community is on the edge of collapse, investments are placed on hold and the value of the Ukrainian hrivina is under pressure teetering on collapse. There are even suggestions that the fall out of this issue may seriously impact the proposed Euro 2012 football championship. I, like many had grown weary of Yulia's antics and inconsistent policies, but I am s

The  current crisis that has engulfed Ukraine is as a result of actions taken by Victor Yushchenko and his appointed inner executive, the National Security Council . According to Yanukovch who has denied any responsibility the persecution of Yulia Tymoshenko arises form the decision taken by the previous President advisory board.  This is no sudden comfort to Yanukovych as his presidency losses respect or support.  The actions of the current government have cost Ukraine much more then  the amount claimed to have been lost by bad gas deals and limiting contracts. The current crisis even threatens the success of Ukraine's Euro 2012 football championship. Is there no end to the crisis Ukraine faces. Much of their own doing arising form their failure to act on the solutions put forward by the European union. Ukraine/s hopes of joining the EU are now more distant then ever.

Ukraine is facing another  major crisis.  This time it is Yanukovych that is at the helm. Ukraine is bouncing form one disaster to another with not indication of any meaningful long term solution in sight. The persecution of Ukraine's opposition leaders  has brought to the point of collapse with no chance of salvation.  It is as though Ukraine is hell bent on traveling a road of self annihilation. ' In 2004/5 The Orange revolution held out some hope that change was on the horizon.  By 2006 it was clear that this was not going to deliver Ukraine from the abyss with  Viktor Yushchenko and Our Ukraine refusing to support the formation of a Orange governing coalition,,. Come 2007 Yushchenko undermined confidence in the democratic process by Ukraine's stability.  Yushchenko steered Ukraine towards the rocks hell bent on preventing Ukraine from becoming an independent democratic state unless it was done his way. Yushchenko was eventually thrown overboard but the boat contin

Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's former Prime-minister and leader of the Opposition in Ukraine has been sentenced to seven years jail on the allegations that she had misused and abused her authority whilst Prime-Minister.  The prosecution was bought about by allegations made against her by Ukraine's former President Viktor Yushchenko. Tymoshenko was ordered to pay 188 Million dollars in costs even though she had not profited from the deal stuck between Ukraine and Russia for the price of gas. The prosecution and jailing of Tymoshenko is seen as being politically motivated and has been condemned by the international community.  Trade association deals between Europe and Ukraine are now expected to be effected as Ukraine becomes isolated as a result.  The conviction of Yulia Tymoshenko is designed to prevent her from seeking election at Ukraine's parliamentary elections  scheduled to be held in October 2012.

The politically charged trail against Ukraine's former Prime-minister has delivered a guilty verdict. Tymoshenko had been charged with misuse and abuse of public office whilst she was Prime-minister. The prosecution claiming that Tymoshenko had no authority to sign a contract with Russia for the supply of gas to Ukraine. They claim that as a result of the unfavourable contract Ukraine has lost over 200 million dollars. This is in spite of the fact that the trial itself has caused untold damage to foreign relations and may even derail or delay implementation of negotiated trading agreements with Europe and Russia. The charges brought against Tymoshenko are seen as an act of political persecution of members of the opposition.  Tymoshenko has been imprisoned for the last two months and her ally Yuri Lutsenko has been detained since December 2010. European and Western leaders have all warned Ukraine of the consequences that would arise if Tymoshenko is found guilty and pr

Justice or political persecution? Thanks to LEvko of Foreignnotes