The American cables reveal: Ukraine – a country caught between America and Russia

Since 7^th February 2010, Viktor Yanukovych has been the new Ukrainian President. Before he became President, he had previously defeated his rival Yulia Tymoshenko in a ballot. Since then, American politicians tried to arrange with this “unpopular newcomer”. Now America’s goal is to ensure that Yanukovich becomes a reliable partner to the U.S. and furthermore he should adapt more to the western standards. This means that he will improve and adapt the current security and economic policy and join the International Monetary Fund in order to regulate the high public expenditure.

This task turns out to be as a difficult mission, because the new President is a friend of Ukrainian neighbour Russia. Unfortunately the Americans supported the wrong candidate for a long time. Candidate Yushchenko is well-known as an American friend and he would have followed American aims, as well, but he lost the crucial election against his rival Yanukovych. Because of this American politicians fear that Ukraine join more strongly and become closer to the Russians again. The American cables reveal that the Americans get the impression that Yanukovych and his government are too “weak” in order to solve the current economic situation. The American Secretary of State Clinton also notes that the economic and political instability in Ukraine is playing into the hands of the Russians.

All in all, I recognized that the U.S. relationship with Ukraine is very difficult. They make every effort that Ukraine is not back in line to the Russians. In this context, the Americans unfortunately chose the wrong decision to support the wrong candidate. In the near future, they have to do everything so in order to win the Ukraine as a reliable partner.

Sources:

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,728632,00.html

Written by Lekaer1