The EU is seriously worried about the economic and political situation in Ukraine. Brussels also has some questions concerning the reliability and continuity of gas supply from Russia to Europe via Ukraine. Meanwhile, the EU is ready to help stabilize the economic situation in Ukraine, overcome the economic crisis and give a boost to Ukraine’s chances to join the EU.
This was the message that the German and Polish ministers of foreign affairs, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Rados aw Sikorski, were trying to put across directly to the president and prime minister of Ukraine, as well as to the leader of the opposition, during their recent one-day visit to this country. Before talking to the journalists, including about 30 reporters from various Polish and German media, the ministers spoke with President Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych, the leader of the oppositional Party of Regions. Afterwards their schedule involved meeting with Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the leader of ‘The Front of Changes’ Arsenii Yatseniuk.
Steinmeier said that his visit had been scheduled but also caused by his country’s concern over the consequences of the economic and political crisis for Ukraine. He added that the emphasis during his talks with the Ukrainian opposition leader was laid on special approaches that should be taken in crisis conditions. The German foreign affairs minister believes the political forces in Ukraine should join efforts so that Ukraine will be ready and able to cooperate with international organizations, IMF in particular, with a view of attracting funds. He also emphasized that Poland and Germany, in their turn, will use their position on the IMF’s Board of Governors to facilitate the fastest possible transfer of the funds.
Steinmeier also noted that his other aim in Ukraine was to try and prevent a possible crisis with gas supply to Europe in the next six months. He does not exclude the possibility of the third IMF tranche to be granted to Ukraine for this specific purpose. In his turn, Sikorski underlined that the next tranche will only be given only on condition of securing the clear-cut and fair implementation of gas supply agreements, so that in case of disputes the parties could turn to the International Court of Justice.
Now it looks as if one could expect some progress in what concerns securing clear-cut conditions of gas supply from Russia. Steinmeier said that last week, during his talks with the Russian leaders, he was able to arrange for a joint EU, Ukrainian, and Russian group of experts whose task will be to assess the degree to which Ukrainian natural gas storage facilities are filled, as well as the need in gas supplies.
It should be noted that the German foreign affairs minister is quite optimistic about the potential of Ukraine’s economy. He believes that the Russian mass media exaggerate the danger of default in Ukraine and its insolvency.
In order not to let this dismal Russian forecast come true, the Ukrainian political leaders should perhaps stop quarreling and start looking for common approaches in order to ride out the crisis with some dignity. For, as Sikorski said, “as you make your bed, so you must lie in it.”
