December 8, 2004
PUTIN AND UKRAINE: 'NEO-IMPERIALIST DREAMS' OF RENEWED EMPIRE?
KEY FINDINGS
** Global dailies accuse
"autocrat" Putin of plan to reassemble "Russia's former
colonies."
** Some see
"glimpses" of new cold war, cite Russian fears of EU, NATO expansion.
** Russian papers detect
EU-U.S. scheme to "bind" Ukraine to West, "isolate" Moscow.
MAJOR THEMES
'Neo-imperialists' rebuilding an empire-- Global dailies viewed the "massive
campaign of Russian interference" in Ukraine's election to be
"obvious" evidence of the Kremlin's "ill will." "Putin sees Ukraine as a part of the
Russian empire," asserted Germany's right-of-center Die Welt, and
so "believes his interference" in the elections "was
natural." In PM Yanukovych, a
Brazilian writer remarked, Putin sees "what is of interest to a Russian
ruler"--someone who would help maintain Ukraine "in the sphere of
influence" of the former USSR.
Poland's centrist Rzeczpopolita argued that Moscow "does not
accept" the independence of "its former province," while a
liberal Canadian paper noted, "Many Russians believe that they must regain
control of Ukraine if Russia is to recover her former superpower status."
'Cold war, or almost'-- Some
editorialists allowed that Putin "seems to be obsessed by the fear
of" Russia's isolation. A
"crucial factor" is his belief that "the 'near abroad' must
remain under his control" to protect Russia's security. Eastward expansion of NATO and the EU,
Belgian writers stated, will make Russia feel "encircled" and so
Putin "has drawn a line in Ukraine"--it "cannot belong to the
camp of the old enemy." A number of
outlets saw "glimpses of a new cold war." French and Hungarian commentators labeled
"the battle of Kiev" a cold war "by proxy" between Putin’s
"neo-imperial Russia" and the EU.
Like Georgia before it, Hungary's right-of-center Magyar Nemzet
held, "Ukraine is entering a conflict of orientation" between Russia
and the West. A Swedish daily argued
against "complacency" in the face of Russia's claim to a "sphere
of influence" in Ukraine, but a Toronto broadsheet counseled that
"Moscow's interest in a stable, friendly government" in Kiev
"will have to be acknowledged."
The West has 'laid a siege'--
Some Russian observers declared that "artificially inflating
Yanukovych's popularity" had "cost Russia its reputation." More worried that Russia is "losing much
of its influence" in Ukraine and that "the time will come when we
will find ourselves fenced off on all sides, totally isolated." Official, government-run Rossiyskaya
Gazeta averred that the situation in Ukraine was a "political
war" between Russia on one side, and the EU and U.S. on the other. Russia cannot "afford to lose the
battle" or there will be more "velvet revolutions" in the
post-Soviet states, leaving the country "isolated all around." Nationalist opposition Sovetskaya Rossiya
accused the West of trying "to take over power in Ukraine" and
wanting "direct access to the Russian border." Youth-oriented Komsomol'skaya Pravda
argued that "two civilizations, the West and the East...have clashed in
Ukraine," alleging the West "is in earnest about shouldering Russia
out of former Soviet republics."
Predicting eventual "rebellion" in eastern Ukraine in
"reaction to Yushchenko's policies," a commentary in reformist Izvestiya
declared Russia should lend "every support to the pro-Russian
regions."
Prepared by Media Reaction Branch (202) 203-7888,
rmrmail@state.gov
EDITOR: Steven Wangsness
EDITOR'S NOTE: Media
Reaction reporting conveys the spectrum of foreign press sentiment. Posts select commentary to provide a
representative picture of local editorial opinion. Some commentary is taken directly from the
Internet. This report summarizes and
interprets foreign editorial opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views
of the U.S. Government. This analysis
was based on 58 reports from 21 countries November 30-December 7, 2004. Editorial excerpts are listed from the most
recent date.
EUROPE
UKRAINE: "Dragging
Things Out"
Opposition daily Ukrayina Moloda opined (11/30): "Everybody understands that this cannot
go on for much longer. The authorities
are retreating eastwards and dragging things out. Kuchma is depressed, he does not know how to
pull Ukraine out of the crisis he and his entourage provoked. Nobody doubts today that Mr. Kuchma
co-authored and co-produced the separatist idea. There is no doubt either that 'assistant
producers' of this show sit in Russia's highest offices. The question is different now: is the situation developing according to
Kuchma's scenario?"
"A Blow To Putin"
Pro-opposition tabloid Vecherniye Vesti editorialized
(11/30): "The events in Ukraine
have delivered a powerful blow to Russian President Putin's reputation. He must have been convinced that his support
would be quite enough for Ukrainian citizens to elect anyone. But there is a limit to what spin doctors and
the Russian president's authority can do."
RUSSIA:
"Revolutionaries-Cum-Counterrevolutionaries"
Valeriy Panyushkin held in business-oriented Kommersant (12/7): "As seen by Sergey Bagapsh's supporters
in Abkhazia and Viktor Yushchenko's supporters in Ukraine, any talks their
leaders may have will be with thieves and, for that reason, their outcome can't
be anything other than a fraud. That
makes the leaders of Abkhazian and Ukrainian revolutions, with crowds of
supporters on the street, look like the chief counterrevolutionaries. They claim power, but they don't take
it. Instead, they hold
negotiations. They have it hard. Abkhazia's Raul Khadzhimba has it even
harder. And so does Ukraine's Viktor
Yanukovych With Moscow behind them, they
can't give up. Khadzhimba (and Kuchma),
I gather, went to Moscow to ask for permission to give up. Obviously, no permission was granted. That explains why the political crises in
Abkhazia and Ukraine have been prohibitively long. Messrs. Bagapsh and Yushchenko can't give up
because of the crowds behind them.
Messrs. Khadzhimba and Yanukovych can't do so because of Moscow's
support."
"Empire Is Hard Work"
Leonid Radzikhovskiy said in official government-run Rossiyskaya
Gazeta (12/7): "If it is to
become the ideological, economic and political center of the CIS [NIS], Russia
should do two things. It should offer
CIS members a 'project' that, while being alternative to the West's, must be
more attractive. Or it may try to become
the 'western center of Eurasia,' the most Euro-American country in the CIS, so
that the road to Europe leads straight to Moscow. In both cases, Moscow should work on itself
first. Otherwise, it should forget a
real empire."
"Tail Wags Dog"
Sergey Mitrokhin of the Yabloko Party wrote in centrist Nezavisimaya
Gazeta (12/6): "Almost all
accusations we leveled at the Russian authorities during the Duma ballot apply
to them in the Ukraine election. The
Kremlin, heavily involved in the election on one of the sides, is directly
responsible for what is going on in that country. Artificially inflating Yanukovych's popularity
ratings has split Ukraine. The same
methods and the same principle--the tail wags the dog--were used when the
Kremlin's spin doctors dragged the president into the Yedinaya Rossiya (united
Russia) campaign.... Russia has had to
sacrifice the free press, independent parliament and business, and federalism
to Putin's popularity ratings, with the Moloch claiming more. In Ukraine, Yanukovych's ratings have cost
Russia its reputation as a state, with its head having so little respect for
his country and himself that he comes so low as to act as a canvasser in a
foreign land. Worst of all, Ukraine's
territorial integrity has been sacrificed to the ratings."
"You Can't Expect Them To Be Objective"
Vladimir Kuzar judged in centrist army-run Krasnaya Zvezda
(12/4): "The West bluntly called
the Ukraine election undemocratic.
Funny, it could say the same about the recent election in the U.S. and
its outdated electoral system, hardly a paragon of democracy from the
standpoint of modern requirements. As
for law violations during the vote in the U.S., there, reportedly, were enough
for several election campaigns in Ukraine.
But OSCE observers...chose not to see them, rating the ballot as the
most democratic. Given all that, you
can't expect them to be objective with regard to Russia and its close allies,
though the Cold War ended more than a decade ago, and Russia, following the
democratic road of development, lists itself among members of the so-called
civilized community of nations."
"Coup, Chaos, Split"
Vasiliy Mikhaylovskiy held in neo-communist weekly Slovo
(12/3): "A carefully planned,
generously funded, and meticulously directed scenario of tearing Ukraine away
from Russia's sphere of influence and binding it to the West is unfolding
before our eyes.... International
mediators from Poland, Lithuania, the OSCE and the EU are there for the sole
purpose of getting Yushchenko elected president. The methods used by those involved in the
takeover are absolutely unconstitutional, which qualifies the whole thing as a
coup. The coup is what causes Ukraine
to split."
"Moscow Out To Tighten Screws"
Editor-in-chief Yevgeniy Kisilev wrote in reformist weekly Moskovskiye
Novosti (12/3): "The Kremlin is
in trouble. Unless it plays a positive
role in settling the crisis, all kudos will go to Kwasniewski, Solana, Adamkus,
and (OSCE Secretary General) Kubis, with Russia losing much of its influence in
Ukraine. No doubt, that was the chief
reason why Kuchma unexpectedly decided to visit Moscow, and Putin, unlike many
in Russia, voiced his concern over Ukraine splitting up. Regrettably, the only conclusion Russia's
ruling elite has drawn from the situation in Ukraine is that it should tighten
all screws to prevent anything of the kind at home."
"Russia's Last Chance"
Editor-in-chief Aleksandr Prokhanov wrote in nationalist
opposition Zavtra (12/2):
"In 1991, when they ruined the USSR, the rascals thought it was
dead and they could go on ruling the roost quietly in their breakaway
domains.... Today's Ukraine is a remake
of the 1991 scenario.... Kuchma is
Gorbachev, spent and sickening. Yushchenko
is Yeltsin, pro-Western and falsely innovative.
Yanukovych is the GKChePe, burnt-out, flabby and incapable of
resistance.... Ukraine is Russia's last
chance to cast off the disgusting mask of pro-Western liberalism; to discover
the faces of hateful Churchill and merciless Dulles, our eternal enemies, in
the West; to do away with the WTO, the EU, 'Bush [chicken] legs,' investment,
and friendship with George and Jacques; to flex what little it has left of the
imperial muscle and strike at the rickety CIS (NIS) structure, regaining the
Crimea, Donetsk, Kharkov, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, the Dniester area, all lands
languishing under foreign yoke and striving to rejoin Russia. This would become our 'asymmetrical response'
to the West. Thank God, we still have
out Satan missiles, and our people still sense the heartbeat of the great
empire. Or we can wait to see oranges
grow on the Kremlin wall."
"Russia Can't Afford To Lose"
Vitaliy Tretyakov commented in official government-run Rossiyskaya
Gazeta (12/2): "Russia was too
eager to support Yanukovych for its image not to suffer palpably from his
giving up the idea of winning the presidency.
The West, however, prefers speaking of Russia's geopolitical defeat,
rather than of its soiled image. And that
is right, primarily because what we are having in Ukraine is the United States
and EU, on the one side, and Russia, on the other, fighting a political war,
their biggest since 1991. Russia has
done a lot of imprudent things, trying
to counter massive U.S. and European intervention in the Ukraine election
process. But Russia did not say a priori
that it would not accept the vote outcome unless its favorite won. The West did exactly that.... Whatever, Russia can't afford to lose the
battle of Ukraine. Otherwise, in the
next couple of years we will see 'velvet revolutions' in Belarus, Moldova,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and possibly Armenia that will leave Russia isolated all
around, except perhaps in the southeast."
"How High Is The Price?"
Mikhail Zygar remarked in business-oriented Kommersant
(12/2): "Russia may be surprised to
see how much it will have to pay for trying to punish its neighbors. Recently, we have shut off Georgia; now we
are going to close the border with Abkhazia; and we are also threatening
Ukraine. The time will come when we will
find ourselves fenced off on all sides, totally isolated."
"Orange Intervention"
Vyacheslav Tetekin wrote in nationalist opposition Sovetskaya
Rossiya (12/2): "The United
States will agree to nothing less than Yushchenko's victory. Having failed to take over power in Ukraine
at the first go, the West and clients have decided to lay a siege. The butcher of Yugoslavia, former NATO
Secretary General Javier Solana, an unctuous smile on his lips, is trying to
twist Kuchma's arms, with President Kwasniewski of Poland and President Adamkus
of Lithuania, a former U.S. citizen, close at hand and confident in their
control of the situation. America keeps
in the background, obviously content with having the Ukraine crisis handled by
the Europeans.... Even the Moscow media,
servilely pro-American at other times, have been showing signs of anti-American
sentiment. But don't get your hopes too
high--more than their own country's interests, Russian 'democrats' value
solidarity with western Ukraine. You
can't trust Western politicians to be sincerely concerned for Ukraine's
territorial integrity. They do not need
its western provinces proud but economically weak. They want all of Ukraine. They want direct access to the Russian
border."
"The Two Of Them Had Better Go"
Sergey Dubinin, former chairman of the central bank, opined in
reformist Vremya Novostey (12/1):
"A normal person can't rejoice over what is going on in
Ukraine--the breakup of a neighboring country we have been tied to by thousands
of bonds. It is not that the authorities
are unable to hold a democratic election without someone questioning its
result. It is that they are inept,
corrupt, and not trusted by their own people.
Even if they agree on a re-vote, few will accept its result as
fair.... The feeling is that a purge in
Ukraine, a European country with a 50-million-strong population, would be good
for Russia and the rest of Europe, too.
We should not look for pseudo-allies in Kuchma, Lukashenko and the like
of them--their pledges of 'eternal friendship' have nothing but personal gain
and selfish interest behind them. Come
the Russian election in 2008, to spare this country turmoil of the kind Ukraine
is having now, we need to carry out operation Clean Hands of our own instead of
seeking mythical CIA conspirators. Our
government can stand cleansing, too."
"Change Of Fate"
Igor Serkov wrote in literary weekly Literaturnaya Gazeta
(12/1): "As it tried much to
befriend Kuchma, Russia missed a chance to pick someone other than Yanukovych
to stop Yushchenko. Finally, it ended up
with Yanukovych, whose ties to Kuchma and previous convictions turn off many
Ukrainians. Under the circumstances, we
can't but back Yanukovych. But first of
all, we must support those 15 million people in southeastern Ukraine who voted
for being together with Russia. In that,
our position must be clear and absolute.
It is up to those people what fate they want for themselves. Our job is to stand by them and their interests. What is happening in Ukraine is not excesses
of a nascent democracy, as we are being told.
It is the sufferings of a nation not capable of going the way it is now."
"What Is At Issue In Ukraine"
Aleksandr Tsipko held in literary weekly Literaturnaya Gazeta
(12/1): "The Russian language and
Russian literature are part and parcel of modern European civilization. Ukrainian, as the surviving folklore of
southern Russia, remains on the periphery of European civilization. Between Russian and Ukrainian, the former
offers easier access to European civilization.
Surely, Ukrainian-language Ukraine has a right to be distinct. If Ukrainian-language Ukraine feels like getting
back to the Polish-Lithuanian world, it can do so. But those in Ukraine who are linked to Russia
and its interests and want to retain their allegiance to the Russian world,
Russian dignity and cultural sovereignty, ought to be protected."
"Russia Will Win"
Aleksandr Dugin stated in youth-oriented Komsomol'skaya Pravda
(12/1): "It is not two politicians,
Yanukovych and Yushchenko, but two civilizations, the West and the East, that
have clashed in Ukraine. The West is in
earnest about shouldering Russia out of former Soviet republics. Yushchenko's pro-Atlantic stand and his
patrons' determination to fight to the end have turned routine presidential
elections into a drama. Unable to stand
tension, Ukraine has split. It may cease
to exist any day now.... The West has no
positive scenario for Ukraine. Ukraine,
poor and short of energy resources, is destined to a meager existence on the
periphery of the Western world. The West
must find it useful as a battleground, though.... The time has come. We have long shunned the simple truth that
the 'Great War' between Russia and the United States, between the East and the
West, is still on. It did not end with
the fall of the USSR. It has entered a
new phase, with the enemy moving close to our borders.... Not being able to avoid the war leaves us
with no option other than winning it."
"Yushchenko Not A Solution Either"
Reformist Izvestiya had this to say (11/30): "Despite some hasty conclusions, a
Yushchenko presidency is not a solution either.
Even if eastern Ukraine does not rise up in rebellion immediately, it
will do so before long as a reaction to Yushchenko's policies. And Russia will again be forced to intervene,
but in far worse circumstances. It is
important, as a worst-case scenario, to give every possible support to the
pro-Russian regions--eastern Ukraine and Crimea. War must be avoided while this is still
possible. But after a certain critical
point is reached, the only option is a war which has to be won."
BRITAIN: "A Win For
Democracy: Now Putin And Kuchma Must Let
Ukraine Free"
An editorial in the independent Financial Times read
(2/6): "Ukraine's fate should not
be determined by any power struggle between the West and Russia. People everywhere, irrespective of their
history of their geography, must have the right to choose their leaders. As a neighbor, Russia has the right to lobby
for its interests, but not to treat Ukraine as a client state. President Vladimir Putin must be made to
accept this fundamental principle--in Ukraine and the rest of the former Soviet
Union."
"Russian Roulette:
Genuinely Democratic Ukraine Would Be Splendid Example"
The independent weekly Economist noted (12/4): "What happens now in Ukraine will
crucially affect not just its own future, but that of all countries of the
former Soviet Union--most notably Russia itself. The crisis in Ukraine may have been triggered
by the blatant election fraud, most glaringly carried out in the country's
eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk by supporters of Mr. Yanukovych and Mr.
Kuchma. But its origins are in good
measure of Russia's making."
FRANCE: "France’s
Diplomats Uneasy"
Luc de Barochez wrote in right-of-center Le Figaro
(12/1): “Embarrassed by the crisis in
Ukraine, France has adopted a stance of discretion and support to
Brussels. More realistic than
moralistic, France’s diplomacy is trying to promote a lasting resolution to the
crisis that will respect democracy in Kiev while not provoking Moscow or
leading to Ukraine’s partition. This is
why France is trying to avoid choosing sides until the decisive election
results are in. Meanwhile it is
criticizing all forms of foreign intervention.... The natural leaning sympathies of the French
authorities go to the 'orange revolution'....
But France is also careful not to upset Putin.... There is a fine line between respecting
democracy and not upsetting Russia...because the French take very seriously the
possibility of Ukraine’s partition....
France has decided to step back and to let the EU lead the mediation.”
GERMANY: "Simple"
Center-right Westfaelischer Anzeiger of Hamm editorialized
(12/3): "Despite the justified
demands of demonstrators, despite the advice of other countries, Russia's
President Putin imposed his recommendation even before the decision of
Ukraine's highest court: new
elections. The plan is as simple as it
is obvious. In the months before the
preparations for the elections, a new candidate that can be accepted in Moscow
could be built up, following the disposal of official election winner
Yanukovych. And the heated protests of
demonstrators should then share the fate of the gentle plant called hope for
democracy: frozen."
"Kuchma Is Gambling For Time"
Karl Grobe noted in left-of-center Frankfurter Rundschau
(12/2): "The Yanukovych gang
is...threatening to divide the whole country.... Russia is playing a double game. President Putin's confirmation to respect the
Ukrainian constitution is worth less than it originally appeared to be. His party members are seriously intervening
in eastern Ukraine and fuel the conflict.... Given their methods, we must fear
the worst."
"Schroeder And Putin"
Reinhard Veser commented in left-of-center Frankfurter
Rundschau (12/1): "The
Ukrainian case shows that the Kremlin is pursues its foreign policy interests
also by interfering in domestic affairs of other countries. In rather informal and sometimes shady ways
Moscow also tries to increase its influence on some new EU members; the scandal
over the ousted Lithuanian President Pakas has unearthed a great deal of
it.... Berlin and Brussels' options to
influence Moscow are limited. It is more
important to express an unambiguous opinion, because silence or partnership
rhetoric will be understood as encouragement or submission. West Europeans can best secure their
political and economic interests in Russia by being resolute and firm.... Open criticism will not necessarily result in
open confrontation, because not just Germany is interested in thriving
relations. If Putin wants to modernize
Russia, he needs help from the West and Germany in particular."
"Kuchma's Reasoning"
Thomas Urban observed in center-left Sueddeutsche Zeitung
of Munich (12/1): "New elections
instead of a repetition of the runoff are not in Yushchenko's interest, because
they would be held some time next year, and time might work against
him.... Kuchma is gambling for
time. His strong ally is the winter.... Kuchma could establish a more attractive
candidate than Yanukovych with the help of the state media he controls. Again, he will rely on the help from
Moscow. But the Kremlin will be more
clever this time. Anything still goes
and it is possible that the orange revolution will just fade away."
"Putin"
Jacques Schuster noted in right-of-center Die Welt of
Berlin (12/1): "Putin sees Ukraine
as a part of the Russian empire, which is why he believes his interference in
the Ukrainian elections was natural. It
could be seen as a breakthrough if he now agrees on holding new elections,
because Ukrainians listen to the voice of the Russian president. There are new elections ahead. But it is unclear whether they will bring the
desired results."
"Cold War"
Patrick Sabatier wrote in left-of-center Liberation
(12/2): “While neither the possibility
of a civil war nor partition can be totally excluded, compromise remains a
possibility. The battle of Kiev is also
a Cold War by proxy between Putin’s neo-imperial Russia and the European Union,
whose ‘democratic’ example has served to inspire the opposition.... Let this serve as a reminder that there are
people for whom Europe is an acquired advantage and those for whom it is still
a reason to fight. We must neither
abandon the fight for democracy in Kiev nor weaken the EU.”
ITALY: "Ukraine: Agreement On Reforms"
Leading business daily Il Sole 24 Ore noted (12/7): “Russian President Putin was forced to
acknowledge [new elections], and during his visit in Ankara, he said he is
ready to work with whichever elected leader in Ukraine.... But he also made clear that he will defend
Ukraine's eastern regions, as he will not allow the people there to become
‘second-class citizens.’”
"The Stake Between Moscow And Kiev"
Ferdinando Salleo wrote in left-leaning, influential La
Repubblica (12/6): "At stake in
the game being played in Ukraine is Russia’s political and strategic
role.... And on our side of the world we
have to face a very difficult dilemma...
For Europe, and even more for the U.S., the real problem is to influence
the road Russia is about to take towards a shared, if not a common, fate with
the transatlantic region and its history, culture and economy.... For sure, the latest moves by the Kremlin are
not encouraging.... Indeed, we do hope
that everyone, including the actors in Kiev, are well aware of the importance
of what is at stake.”
"Putin Attacks The U.S. ‘Dictatorship’"
Vladimir Sapozhnikov remarked in leading business-oriented Il
Sole 24 Ore (12/4): “The political
crisis in Ukraine ignited dangerous tensions between Russia and the U.S. While yesterday the WH welcomed the Supreme
Court’s verdict as an ‘important step toward a peaceful and democratic
solution,’ Russian President Putin, from India, accused Washington of
conducting a dictatorial foreign policy.”
"Cold War, Or Almost"
Gianni Riotta observed in centrist, top-circulation Corriere
della Sera (12/4): “Sixty years
after...there are glimpses of a cold war.
And the U.S. and Europe that are divided on Iraq must decide how to face
the new world and its dangers. Secretary
of State (sic) Rice has in her soul the paradox of the present situation: she is an expert on Russia and
geopolitics. She had to deal with the
asymmetrical war on terrorism and now she goes back to take care of the issues
she studied: how to deal with Putin who
keeps on ignoring claims of civil rights violations more and more
openly.... Europe is divided...and China
holds the balance. The U.S. won the cold
war because it was more mobile than its opponents.... It would be a good reminder that a
combination of force and reason made us win over Soviet dictatorship. It would be wrong to think that today we
might prevail without believing, in fact and not only in words, in democracy
and justice.”
"Kiev’s Blow To The Kremlin"
Sandro Viola opined on the front page of left-leaning, influential
La Repubblica (12/3): “Ukraine's
drawn-out unrest and the risks that it entails have for the time being brought
on a series of curt counterblows on the international scene. Relations between Europe and Russia, and
between Russia and the United States, are no longer what they were two weeks
ago. Harsh words, the harshest in many
years, were spoken on every front and even if Kiev were to advance a solution
that everyone could accept, the controversy that exploded between Moscow and
Western capitals will leave a trail of suspicion, distrust and resentment. The common commitment against global
terrorism and their need for Russian oil will likely prevent relations between
Euro-Americans and Moscow from deteriorating too much. It is in everyone’s interest that the crisis
remain circumscribed."
"The Ukraine Enigma -- Divided Nation"
Alberto Ronchey opined in centrist, top-circulation Corriere della
Sera (12/1): “Following the
loss of all remaining influence over the Baltics and the Georgians, Putin seems
to be obsessed by the fear of the isolation of the Russian Federation, which
claims the right to oversee Ukraine given their economic interdependence.... [Russia] is clearly attempting to recover its
military prestige; it has announced [the construction] of new missiles. It is unlikely that Putin is aspiring ...to
revive a superpower based on ideology, much less a cold war psychopathology.”
AUSTRIA: "Putin, The
Loser"
Editor Jana Patsch wrote in mass-circulation Kurier
(12/6): "An emancipation of Kiev
from Moscow is something that Putin can hardly accept without losing face.
After all, just one year ago a widely lauded economic and tariff union was
founded--between Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.... However, it is also for security reasons that
the Russians regard the activities in Ukraine with suspicion: the Russians' deep-seated fear of being
surrounded by enemy forces would get new nourishment if Ukraine belonged to
Western institutions. NATO is still an
enemy image for most Russians. Probably not even Putin himself knows at present
how he is going to get through this crisis. The Kremlin boss could get under
heavy-duty pressure from two sides: the
security forces and the military could demand a still more authoritarian
course; the democratic opposition, on the other hand, could use the momentum
from Kiev to its advantage. The damage to Putin's image is already
evident. He could be the great loser of
the orange revolution."
"European Lessons"
Josef Kirchengast editorialized in independent Der Standard
(12/2): "While the EU
Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy is trying to mediate
in Kiev, France and Germany, the alleged motors of the European project, engage
in realpolitik that caters to their interests.
And those call for being considerate towards Russia.... Paris claims Moscow should not be
provoked. While nothing is to be said
against a well-considered realpolitik and clever conduct in difficult
geopolitical situations, this kind of hasty consideration towards a Russia that
has been increasingly playing the hegemony card recently is in itself a
provocation--for all those for whom Europe is more than just an empty
shell."
BELGIUM: "Putin's
View"
Foreign editor Paul De Bruyn commented in conservative
Christian-Democrat Gazet van Antwerpen (12/6): "In Putin's view a crucial factor for
Russia's security is that the 'near abroad' must remain under his control. That country must be shielded from Western
influence. That is why he has drawn a
line in Ukraine: that country cannot
belong to the camp of the old enemy.
That is why Viktor Yushcencko must be stopped before he puts Ukraine on
a path to EU and NATO membership. The
same reasoning makes Putin maintain troops in the Georgian republic of
Abkhazia--which pro-Western President Saakashvili threatens to
destabilize. Subsequently, a collision
with the West is a possibility there, too.
It is unlikely that Putin can win that test of strength. But, he is willing to take his chance. There is too much at stake for him."
"Russia-EU Relations"
Foreign editor Frank Schloemer commented in independent De
Morgen (12/6): "Clearly,
the EU has intervened in a region which--also after the independence of
Ukraine--belongs to Russia’s sphere of influence. And, of course, Moscow is not happy with
that. The Kremlin’s attacks against the
EU as an institution and against individual EU diplomats have been legion after
the elections on Sunday, November 21.
President Putin, in particular, led the verbal attacks against the EU,
while he himself was not ashamed of telling the (Ukrainian) citizens for whom
they should vote.... Ukraine--after
Russia the principal country of the former Soviet Union--is openly and eagerly
looking at the West and it even won’t be satisfied with EU membership
only: t wants to join the West’s
military alliance NATO as well.... After
a series of enlargements the EU borders on Russia and, if those enlargements
continue, Russia will feel ‘encircled’ by the EU. The Kremlin gentlemen’s fear is not
unjustified, especially now that the EU has plans to improve its relationships
also with counties like Belarus, Moldavia and the Caucasian republics of
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia--all former Soviet republics.... The EU’s ‘forward movement’ is becoming a
nightmare to Moscow--against which it can do nothing. Every country in that European region that
requests membership and that meets the requirements can become a member--and
Moscow cannot prevent that. As a matter
of fact, Vladimir Putin can do nothing at all because the EU is Russia’s largest
trade partner--on which it is very dependent.”
HUNGARY: "The Empire
Next Moves Where?"
Gabor Miklos warned in top-circulation, center-left Nepszabadsag
(12/4): “In recent years, there have
been more and more warnings that the (Soviet) Union that fell apart in 1991 has
been sneakily re-organizing itself, and authoritarian governments in the
successor states are dissolving the short-lived elements of liberal democracy,
of freedom of the press, of Western-type rule of law and of civil society. This process, however, has not been perfect
in all places. For a long time, not even
in Russia. And not in the most important
link of the chain of re-unification/annexation: Ukraine.... In the recent Ukrainian events, Russia has
primarily got into a confrontation with the EU.... Moscow cannot afford Ukrainian consolidation
carried out against Russia with EU assistance.... Regardless of how things turn out in Kiev,
one thing is certain: disturbing
elements have turned up in the empire-building, or rather, rebuilding
plans.... One can take almost for
granted that the societies of the post-Soviet region will not be unaffected by
the Ukrainian 'chestnut revolution'.”
"The Real Revolution"
Gusztav Molnar pointed out in liberal Magyar Hirlap
(12/4): “What Moscow has always held
self-evident, namely that the Russian economic power and cultural influence in
themselves will be sufficient to make at least the 'hard core' of the former
Soviet Union, the three Slavic countries and Kazakhstan a coherent economic and
political community has turned out to be a vain hope because it is the society
and not the power elite, rotten to the core, of the key country Ukraine that
has become part of the European Union’s sphere of cultural, economic and
ideological interests.”
"The Pains Of The Ukrainian Transition"
Foreign affairs editor Gabor Stier opined in right-of-center Magyar
Nemzet (12/1): “The stakes in this
game are especially high for Moscow because if Kiev drops out of its sphere of
influence, [Russia] can not only say goodbye to its dreams of a global
empire. Russia will no longer be
surrounded by countries that share its aspirations. Washington is acutely aware of this
situation, and is unlikely to let this opportunity pass. On the other hand, in spite of its spectacular
activity, the European Union does not even come close to the American
effectiveness.... Just like
Georgia--after more than a decade of maneuvering--Ukraine is entering a
conflict of orientation. Contrary to
Tbilisi, political options in Kiev are not that clear. Not in a small measure because, in the case
of Ukraine, the commitment of the West, and primarily that of the European
Union, is soft at best."
NORWAY: "Something
Beautiful Has Happened"
The independent newspaper Dagbladet commented (12/5):
“Many are left with long Pinnochio noses after the Ukrainian
revolution. This goes for outgoing
President Leonid Kuchma and PM Yanukovych.
But the longest nose of them all is that of Russia’s President Vladimir
Putin, who immediately placed himself in a corner when he was the first to
congratulate Yanukovych on his victory, long before there was a final
result.... Putin now emerges as a
defender of cheating and oppression, and not of justice and democracy. This is tragic for Russia, Europe and the
world.”
"Large Political Fight Over Ukraine"
Foreign affairs editor Nils Morten Udgaard commented in newspaper
of record Aftenposten (12/1):
“Both the U.S. and EU refused last week to accept the election results
after having listened to election observers....
The Russians were no longer alone with Kiev. The EU and the U.S. have all along worked
against a new Russian-Ukrainian union....
In Ukraine it is the EU and not the U.S. setting the agenda; this is
something new in an important crisis.”
POLAND: "They Will
Give In"
Marcin Wojciechowski commented in liberal Gazeta Wyborcza
(12/3): “[His] Russian friends did not
let Kuchma down. Putin spoke in favor of
the repetition of the entire election....
The [Ukrainian] opposition chose a legal way, not revolutionary
shortcuts. Sooner or later the
government will give in, because it lacks the power to lead a war against its
own nation. Moscow’s support of Kuchma
is sheer ritual.”
"Back To The Past"
Jan Skorzynski opined in centrist Rzeczpospolita
(12/3): “One can hardly disagree with
Vladimir Putin’s statement that neither the European Union nor Russia can
decide how to resolve the crisis in Ukraine….
It’s only a shame that the Russian President does not follow this advice
himself. Moscow’s behavior before and
after the elections in Ukraine indicates that Moscow did not accept the
independence of its former province and wants to install its man in Kiev at any
cost.... Putin treats the Ukrainian
democratic movement as a threat to Russia.
Perhaps he fears that this example of civic disobedience will find
followers in Moscow.”
"The World And Kiev"
Marcin Bosacki commented in liberal Gazeta Wyborcza
(12/1): “During the first days after the
fraudulent Ukrainian elections, Europe was silent. Some of the Western media claimed that the
efforts to influence the developments in Kiev were ‘Polish obsessions’ that
‘needlessly irritate Russia.’... Today
most of Europe understands that Ukraine must be helped.”
SWEDEN: "New Elections
Get Closer"
Independent, liberal Dagens Nyheter editorialized
(12/2): “An open and faultless new
election would be a major victory for democracy in Ukraine. To Russia’s Vladimir Putin it would mean a
defeat visible to the world.... To those
in the West who regard international politics and good relations with the
Kremlin as more important than openness and democratic values, Ukraine in the
fall of 2004 must be an eye-opener.
People who for a long time have put up with corruption and misgovernment
and have never had political freedom, may one day have had enough.”
"Europe’s Future Will Be Decided In Kiev"
Professor Stefan Hedlund, Department of East European Studies, Uppsala
University, commented in West Sweden’s major daily, liberal Goteborgs-Posten
(12/2): “Today those who believed that
the Cold War had ended have every reason to reconsider. Relations between Russia and the West, both
the U.S. and the EU, are worse than at any time after the collapse of the
Soviet Union, and there is nothing indicating that a thaw is at hand.... To the governments of the Western democracies
and mass media, this brings matters to a head.
Are we to accept that Russia has a sphere of interest of its own where
Moscow freely can decide on the appointment or the dethroning of governments,
or are we prepared to pursue a policy of confrontation with all that it may
involve? The future of Europe is now
created in Kiev. Complacency today may
be very costly tomorrow.”
TURKEY: "A Global Game
Played In Ukraine"
Namik Kemal Zeybek argued in the conservative HO Tercuman
(12/2): “Following the demise of the
Soviet Union, the U.S. engaged in an intensive effort to separate Ukraine from
Russia.... Ukraine received financial
grants from the U.S. that provided privileges for the American business in the
country. The EU followed the U.S. model
by giving financial aid to Ukraine. Both
the U.S. and the EU had something in common:
the goal to detach Ukraine from Russia.... Today the U.S. goal is to gain full control
over Ukraine in order to establish a military base. The ongoing chaos regarding the elections
should be interpreted from this perspective, because all of this is a part of a
long-term American strategy in the region.”
MIDDLE EAST
LEBANON: "A New Cold
War?"
Nassif Hitti concluded in pro-Hariri Al-Mustaqbal
(12/2): “Do the results of the Ukrainian
presidential elections...and the crisis that followed...carry the seeds of a
new cold war between the super American power and Russia? Beliefs may change...however, political
geography does not change, particularly that of big countries.... Russia is afraid of repeating the Georgia
experience. Georgia was stolen (sic)
from Russia last year. The only areas that
remained for Russia are Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Russia is bothered by the continuous
extension of the West and NATO towards its borders.... The strategic Western (American-European
agreement) over bringing Ukraine towards the West through its economy and
through encouraging a democratization process...reflect the size of Western
interest in Ukraine.... Ukraine needs to
reach a settlement between trying to protect the gradual democratization of
Ukraine on one hand, and giving assurances to Moscow on the strategic and
security levels on the other hand....
Without such a settlement, this crisis--...or this new cold war--will
continue.”
EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC
AUSTRALIA: "Crack In
Ukraine's Hardline Wall"
The liberal Sydney Morning Herald commented (Internet
version, 12/7): "There is a
temptation to view Ukraine as despotic, corrupt, thuggish; a craven satellite
of hegemonic Russia, riddled with nepotism and cronyism and suffocating on
failed economic policy and totalitarian power concentrated in the role of the
president. The temptation was potent
because this picture of Ukraine is largely realistic. This is where, after all, murder of rivals is
a political strategy, where the grotesquely disfigured face of the leadership
contender, Viktor Yushchenko, probably is the result of poisoning by secret
police, where the November 21 presidential election was stolen because the
losers loathed the people's choice. What
a remarkable decision, therefore, for Ukraine's Supreme Court to strip away the
pretense of an honest result and to order a new vote for the presidency on December
26."
JAPAN: "Russia, EU
Eager To Agree On Energy Supplies"
Conservative Sankei observed (12/3): "Russia and the EU are stepping up
efforts to mediate an end to the presidential election dispute in Ukraine out
of concern that the political chaos might trigger a domestic economic crisis. Because oil pipelines from Russia to Europe
pass through Ukraine, a swift settlement of the political turmoil is imperative
for both the Europeans and Russians....
The Kremlin appears deeply concerned that a prolonged situation in Kiev
would derail Russia's oil exports to Europe.
President Putin is therefore unlikely to up the ante in his bargaining
with the Europeans over events in Ukraine."
"Differences Between U.S. And Russia Set To Widen"
Liberal Asahi remarked (12/2): "Following the political chaos over
Ukraine's disputed presidential election, the Bush administration has begun to
take a harder line with the Putin government in a move that risks reversing
cooperative ties with Moscow on such issues as the war on terrorism and Iran's
nuclear development programs. The U.S.
suspects that some Russian government elements were involved in election
misconduct.... Washington appears to be
trying to maintain neutrality out of concern that a show of outright support
for the pro-Europe Yushchenko might exacerbate internal division in
Ukraine. But differences between
Washington and Russia will likely grow, depending on the Kremlin's approach to
the situation in Kiev."
SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA
KAZAHKSTAN: "Is Russia
Still Alive?”
Progressive weekly Epokha argued (12/3): “Presidential elections in Ukraine have
significantly tarnished the democratic image of Russia.... It’s so obvious how much Russian press and TV
hate the orange color of the Ukrainian opposition. It seems that suddenly our Northern
colleagues have been hit by an infectious disease of partiality and bias. Or maybe they were ordered to join the ranks
of great-power patriots? They may have
had no choice--the Kremlin and oligarchs close to it control all leading mass
media outlets of Russia.”
WESTERN HEMISPHERE
CANADA: "West Must
Back Ukraine"
Stephen Handelman wrote in the liberal Toronto Star
(Internet version, 12/7): "Russia
dominates [Ukraine's] economy and will always remain central to its political
future. Russian President Vladimir Putin
blundered by openly throwing his support behind the candidate of the current
regime--Viktor Yanukovych--and made things worse by appearing to support
separatist threats in Ukraine's industrial heartland, where backing for
Yanukovych and Russia is greatest. But
it would be wishful thinking to write Russia out of this new game. Putin has built widespread popular support at
home for his ambition of strengthening Russian influence beyond its post-1991
borders, and he isn't likely to relinquish his self-appointed role as power
broker--even if the Dec. 26 election brings pro-Western reformers to power in
Kiev. And that means the West must do
more this time than simply pay lip service to another 'pro-democracy'
movement. The Western diplomatic
strategy should be to do everything possible to give Ukraine the breathing room
it needs to continue the process of reform without fostering tensions that
could push the region into instability....
One way is to provide the economic and political assistance that has
been missing the past decade.... It also
means playing a direct role in post-election bargaining between Kiev and
Moscow, by persuading Russia that its hopes of taking its rightful place in
global politics will depend on the treatment of its neighbor. Moscow's interest in a stable, friendly
government on its western border will have to be acknowledged. But, ultimately, a successful Ukrainian
renaissance will provide new impetus for thwarted democratic dreams across the
region--from Belarus to Russia itself.
he West backed away from the challenge in 1991. Now, even if it means colliding with the
restless neo-imperialists in the Kremlin, it can't do so again."
"Ukraine's Honor"
Editorialist Serge Truffaut commented in liberal Le Devoir
(12/4): "Until [the December 26
election] all eyes will be on the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin who more
than once has not been shy about getting involved in the political
debate.... Paradoxically, if Putin
personally committed himself to the campaign by going twice to Kiev, he has not
been able to tolerate and still can't tolerate the critiques being voiced by
more than one European Union leader and by President Bush. Not being able to digest the offer of good
offices made by Poland, Lithuania and the European Commissioner for Foreign
Affairs, the Moscow autocrat has difficulty hiding his intention to
retort."
"West Needs To Act To Curb Putin's Imperialist Push"
George Foty insisted in the left-of-center Saskatoon
StarPhoenix (12/2): "The
electoral fraud in Ukraine by the pro-Russian Kuchma-Yanukovych regime is part
of a massive campaign of Russian interference in Ukraine. Russia has poured millions of dollars into
the Viktor Yanukovych campaign and Vladimir Putin himself came to Ukraine twice
to support his candidate. It's not
surprising that Ukrainians were alarmed at this threat to their independence
and rose in opposition. It appears that
Putin had been prepared to launch an outright assault on the pro-democracy
forces in Ukraine. Sources in Kiev
report that Russian special forces dressed in Ukrainian uniforms were stationed
near that city since the beginning of the demonstrations. Clearly, the troops were there not just to
intimidate but to suppress the demonstrators if Ukrainian police refused to do
so. Putin had used the cover of
elections previously in Russia to undermine the democratic movement there and
establish his authoritarian regime. He
also installed a 'duly elected' totalitarian regime in Belarus, and only a
peaceful revolution in Georgia prevented another 'democratically elected'
pro-Russian government from taking office there. Many Russians believe that they must regain
control of Ukraine if Russia is to recover her former superpower status. To achieve this, they appear to be ready to
eradicate the Ukrainian pro-democracy movement.
It is commendable that Western democracies are speaking out against the
attempted subversion of the elections in Ukraine. However, their apparent reluctance to oppose
Putin's neo-imperialist policies in reassembling Russia's former colonies is
both shameful and dangerous. Will it
take a bloody suppression of the Ukrainian pro-democracy movement for the West
to back its criticism with economic sanctions against Russia? The West must not repeat the mistakes of the
timid European nations who failed to confront Hitler in the 1930s."
ARGENTINA: "Strong
Spat Between Bush And Putin Over The Conflict In Ukraine"
Hinde Pomeraniec wrote in leading Clarin
(12/3): "Putin's interests in
Ukraine go beyond the almost 10 million Russians living in Ukraine who could
eventually ask Russia to 'rescue' them....
Ukraine is the 'hinge' country between Europe and Russia. An example:
the Russian gas goes to Europe through Ukrainian pipelines.... If Putin has interests (in Ukraine), the U.S.
also has them--first, to deprive Russia of such an enclave. Also, regarding the East-West tension in
which Ukraine sways, the Kuchma administration contributed 1,600 troops to the
war in Iraq. And this is invaluable."
BRAZIL:
"Putin And Ukraine"
Center-right O Globo editorialized (12/1): "In Ukraine’s electoral process Putin
sees what is of interest to a Russian ruler:
the victory of a candidate favorable to the strengthening of relations
between Kiev and Moscow, which would help to maintain Ukraine in the sphere of
influence of the former Soviet empire.
According to the Kremlin's logic, Yushchenko should never be the
president. He is in favor of heresies
such as Ukraine’s adhesion to the European Union, maybe even NATO. The Russian government’s ill will is obvious. But that is not all: other historical and psychological elements
in the region have complicated and worsened the Ukrainian crisis. For example, it's difficult for Putin and for
Russians in general to abandon the context of the former Soviet empire, just as
at the same time it must be irresistible and frightening for the Ukrainians to
adhere to European culture and traditions.
Ukrainians’ and Russians’ relations with the rest of Europe have been
historically complicated.... For someone
with Putin’s profile, planning to control Ukraine’s destiny is something
normal, accustomed as he is to authoritarianism.... Among other things, the Ukrainian crisis is
showing how much the Russians still resist the idea of a world where the USSR
is only a nostalgic recollection."
CHILE: "Ukraine: The Orange Revolution"
Government-owned, editorially independent La
Nacion noted (12/6): “Ukraine seems
to be moving towards a peaceful resolution....
Democrats are encouraged by the way in which the orange revolution in
Ukraine is being resolved. The
willingness to peacefully resolve political discrepancies is very important in
former Eastern Europe and the people of Ukraine are showing a great
capacity...to move forward in peace towards freedom. (But) Russia has a role to play.... Moscow’s support of a candidate who committed
fraud with the help of the government apparatus is more than a signal for the
Kremlin. The West would not understand
should Putin use these kinds of methods to take power and to retain it.”
##
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