Ukraine Today - An Independent Political Review

Russia Today exposes some of the word games and geo political sterotypes

Public support for Ukraine's President, Victor Yushchenko, according to recent public opinion polls published by Kyiv Post has dropped to a low 2.9% in the wake of his attempt to destabilize Ukraine's governing coalition and its economy. His rival Viktor Yanukovich, leader of the opposition, leads the polls with 30% support followed by Yulia Tymoshenko on 19%. Had fresh elections been held in December 2008 Yushchenko's political party Our Ukraine would have fallen below the 3% threshold barrier and lost parliamentary representation Yushchenko's rating is now the lowest support shown for a head of state in the world. His position is untenable and has reached the point where he has become a serious liability not an asset. Yushchenko's term of office expires this year with the expectation that presidential elections will be brought forward rather then wait until December when they are due.

Russia Today reports

Ukraine is embroiled in another round of Gas confrontation with Russia over non payement of gas consumed by Ukraine. In spite the fact that Ukraine's gas supply is subsidised by Russia and is half the cost of Gas supplied to other European countries Ukraine has not paid its bill. Russia's Gazprom has had to once again take the inevitable task of restricting gas supply to Ukraine as a result. This action of last resort has prompted allegations of Russia seeking to punish Ukraine for its political stance. The decision of Russia to phase out energy subsidies has not been made overnight and whilst some are quick to claim it is all about polictics. Russia Today 's Peter Lavelle presents a summary review as the new year dawns. see also Foreign Notes for some further insights into Ukraine's gas wars.

Recent public opinion poll confirms what has been known for some time that both Viktor Yanukovych (20.7%) and Yulia Tymoshenko (17.9%) are front runners and most likely candidates to face off in a final elections for Ukraine's President Both of the main contenders do not have 50% or more of the vote but they are the two highest polling candidates and as such they will be the only candidates left standing for the second run-off ballot. All other election hopefuls lag far behind the two poll leaders and would not be in the race. Incumbent President, Viktor Yushchenko, is polling less then 4% is not expected to be re-elected to office. Elections for the President are due to be held by the end of next year.

Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's Prime Minister has expressed concern that Ukraine's President, Victor Yushchenko is preparing plans to declare a State of emergency and install Martial law in order to prolong his term of Office. Effectually installing an authoritative dictatorship over Ukraine. The concerns expressed by Yulia Tymoshenko reflect warnings given by other Ukrainian Politicians. Taras Chornovil earlier this year exposed a plot by the Office of the President along similar lines. Tymoshenko noted that the Ukrainian Constitution envisages cancellation of all elections if the emergency rule is introduced in the country. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said she wants to stop the process and prevent Viktor Yushchenko from installing a dictatorship in what would be seen as an act of desperation to prolong his term of office as President. Presidential elections are due to he held by the end of December 2009. Viktor Yushchenko had unsuccessfully tried to dismiss Ukraine's P...

A recent opinion poll published in Kyiv Post shows that only 6 percent of those surveyed trusted Ukraine's president, Viktor Yushchenko, who had the highest level of distrust (34.1%) of all politicians listed in the survey&nbsp Name Trust   Distrust Viktor Yushenko 6.0% 34.1% Yulia Tymoshenko 21.2% 22.8% Victor Yanukovych 22.2% 20.4% Volodymyr Lytvyn 16.1% 5.5% Arseniy Yatsenyuk 16.7% 5.1% Viktor Baloha 0.2% 14.6% Petro Symonenko 11.8% 14.2% 31.8 percent does not trust anyone, 6.2% found it difficult to respond, and 11.5 percent does not know who to trust. The poll was held on Dec. 7-20. A total of 2,000 respondents took part in the poll.