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Not too soon. Ukrainian economy is in ruins. Ukraine having 1/3 of the population of Russia has about 1/9 the size of it's economy. Ukrayina is a great country, but perhaps the nationalistic attitudes have been counter productive for its people. The major trade partner still remains Russia. As for the army, Ukraine a nation of almost 50 million spends about 500 million a year on defence where as Czech republic with a population of 10 million spends aproximate 1.2 billion. Ukranian Navy which holds about 10-15% of the ships of the former Soviet Black Sea Fleet is a waste of money, since most of the ships in its possesion are those that pose little value to the fleet and are symbolic, yet so much money is spent on maintaning them, for what purpose ? Russian black sea fleet, 10-15 million ethnic Russians in Ukraine and the fact that Russia is Ukraines major trading partner with a per capita income of 3x overshadows any ultra nationalism and positive sentiments towards the west. The Russians are leasing the bases for the Black Sea Fleet until 2017 and it will most likely be extended further. Officialy they are to pay $98 million a year, but the fact that Ukraine has no money to pay for it's gas means that they stay for free. I think the subject of Crimea is very sensitive, since the Ukranians reject so deeply everything that happened during the soviet period, yet the fact that Crimea is part of Ukraine at least on paper today is due to the Soviet Union. My grandma is Ukranian and Ive been in Kyiev many times, so im not anti-Ukranian, I would just like them to find themselves as a people and where they stand in reality. Russians have done so with the coming of Vladimir Putin, priorities are all right. I think Ukraine needs a new leader and a new ideology. I understand the Ukranian people and their will for self determination, but they should also watch out for the ultra radicals who only hamper the reputation of your people and the relations with Russia. Such as the case where members of an SS division were recognised as heroes ? In any case that simply isn't right no matter how you look at it. These small things, is one of the reasons Ukraine is such a divided country. Entry into NATO is a distant goal and not realistic perhaps until 2015, but 2020 is a more likely date. Ukraine needs to put Nationalism aside and focus on the only thing that matters in our world today, Economic development. Leonid Kuchma and his questionable behaviour and uncertain policies of reaproachment and distancing from Russia and foreplay with the west are not the very least productive, they give Ukraine a sense of instability. The truth is Russians will always be your neighbours and a great influence, but its upto you if you want them to be your friends or enemies, as of today, you need them more than they need you, the choice is yours.
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17th June 2002, 02:54
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