Ukraine Committed to Europe and Pluralism, says Opposition leader

“Ukraine’s Choice: Toward Europe”
By Viktor Yanukovych, October 5, 2006
The Washington Post

In an op/ed to the Washington Post on October 5, 2006, Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych stresses his commitment to adopting principles that would bring his country closer to Europe.  Although frequently charged with being influenced by Moscow, especially indicated by the heavy Russian hand in the Presidential election in 2004, which was declared undemocratic by Ukraine’s Supreme Court, Yanukovych repeatedly states in this article his support for the Ukrainian government’s European-leaning policies.  He additionally refutes claims that his country is too close to a politically, economically, and culturally-controlling Russia to be Western-orientated, saying that “Ukraine will be found at the very center of the Euro-Atlantic world.”

Prime Minister Yanukovych describes the principles of reform that he and other members of the government are committed to following in order to bring Ukraine closer to the West.  First he reaffirms the government’s “pro-business” stance, assuring that Ukraine will follow in the steps of its Western neighbors to lower taxes, liberalize trade, and privatize industry in order to join the World Trade Organization.  Additionally, he lauds Ukraine’s stanch support of “political pluralism,” pointing to the three major political parties that share substantial political power and the many other diverse parties represented in government and parliament.

Yanukovych also acknowledges that there needs to be “constructive relations with Russia and, where possible, a broadening of cooperation,” but states that both he and President Yushchenko “agree that Ukraine has made a choice for Europe and will pursue closer relations with all European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.” He says that Ukraine is taking steps towards adopting EU reforms, which he hopes “will lead to the beginning of negotiations on an EU-Ukraine free-trade agreement.”  Additionally, he mentions following United States anti-corruption reforms and pledges to continue “active cooperation with NATO.”

In regards to potential NATO membership, Yanukovych elucidates his country’s current position as a participant, though not a member, of NATO exercises; he adds that if an invitation from the security organization were to be extended to Ukraine he would support holding a national referendum, leaving the final choice up to the people.    

By his apparent ideological turnaround and despite his affiliation with the Russian-leaning Party of Regions, the Prime Minister makes his objective very clear:  to convince the American people that his party is “completely committed to the cultural unity and political independence of a sovereign Ukraine nation” and that he seeks to move Ukraine substantially closer to the Western world.