Ukraine Today - An Independent Political Review

Ukraine goes to the polls in October 2012 in what is a make or break election.  The new electoral laws have already come fire and criticism by the European Venice Commission and look set to give the Government a distinct advantage.  The Tymoshenko factor, political persecution has triggered international outrage which could seriously impact on Ukraine's economic and diplomatic standing is the President's downfall.  Already Yanukovych's presidency has been brought into disrepute as he becomes isolated by the international community.  How long can his presidency last as Ukraine's economic future is held in the balance?  It could even have a negative impact in the Euro2012 games. Already European Integration has been placed on ice.  Will sanctions follow?

Source: European Parliament Recent political developments in Ukraine Since its independence Ukraine has been a priority partner country for the EU within the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership because it is perceived as a key regional player, which exerts considerable influence on the security, stability and prosperity of the whole continent, and which should therefore bear its respective share of political responsibility. On its tough path towards democracy, Ukraine has made important steps with regards to its economic and political development. However, new Ukrainian authorities have started to reverse the democratic transformations of the Orange Revolution. With the sentencing on 11th October 2011 of the former Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, serious concerns have arisen with regards to political freedoms, the rule of law and the state of democracy in Ukraine. The European People’s Party stands by the position that this will have serious negative conse...

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...

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 ...