Ukraine: Now, A Saucy Phone Call
Just when Ukraine started to slip from the top of the news, a saucy phone call puts it right back in the headlines. Even though the call happened a while ago and there’s no proof right now that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland’s voice is the one on the tape or that the tape was not edited for effect, it is a diplomatic nightmare.
What Nuland seems to be saying is “F—the EU (European Union).” And, U.S. Ambassador to the Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt appears to respond: “Exactly.” The interpretation is that the United States is frustrated with the way the EU has been handling its dealings with Ukraine and has some plans of its own.
Ever since late November, when Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych turned his back on a political and free trade accord with the EU – an agreement that was years in the making – his presidency has been besieged. Not a popular figure (Yanukovych was the opponent of Orange Revolution hero Viktor Yuschenko in 2004-2005), he nevertheless won election in 2010.
A weak economy, cries of corruption and a heavy hand by Russia in the affairs of the former Soviet satellite have further weakened his administration. But, what tipped the balance in favor of massive demonstrations against Yanukovych was a violent crackdown by the police on peaceful protestors on Nov. 30. Things escalated when the president signed an “anti-protest law” on Jan. 16 that restricted free speech, curbed the media, outlawed driving in a group of more than five cars and even sporting a helmet.
And then, three protestors were killed in the capital of Kyiv in clashes with security forces on Jan. 22.
Ukraine’s geographical position allows it to look West toward Europe and East toward Russia, and since its independence in 1991 it has played in both worlds. Now it is decision time, but there are consequences to either course of action. While the EU has offered a trade agreement, so- called association with the 28-nation bloc and, together with the U.S., some kind of aid package, it has not offered full membership in the EU.
On the other side, President Vladimir Putin of Russia dangled a $15 billion financial package and a break on gas prices to the Ukraine back in December. The first $3 billion came in and was a lifeline to cash-strapped Ukraine, but the next $2 billion has been held up because President Yanukovych, in order to appease the protestors, dismissed his pro-Russian prime minister and members of his cabinet. He offered these posts to opposition leaders but they did not accept. They want to see him go, too.
This brings us back to the phone call in which Nuland seems to be commenting on which leaders of the opposition she would choose to be in a new government. That may be putting the cart before the horse. Ukraine’s president is traveling to Russia on Friday to meet with Putin and is unlikely to make any decision – even about potentially stepping down – before seeing what more Putin has to offer.
Eileen Shields-West is author of “The World Almanac of Political Campaigns” (1992), and edited and contributed to “Choosing the Right Educational Path for Your Child” (2008).
Read Full Story