ONLY Yu.

CIS DEAD ENDS

During his election campaign, Viktor Yushchenko repeatedly criticized Leonid Kuchma for rushing between Moscow and Brussels. The notorious multi-vector nature was also characteristic of the country's first president, Leonid Kravchuk. But,...

During his election campaign, Viktor Yushchenko repeatedly criticized Leonid Kuchma for rushing between Moscow and Brussels. The notorious multi-vector nature was also characteristic of the country's first president, Leonid Kravchuk. But upon taking office, Yushchenko himself followed in the footsteps of his predecessors, flying from Moscow to Strasbourg and Brussels.

It is possible to understand what the Ukrainian president said to Vladimir Putin on Monday from his Tuesday speech in PACE. The leitmotif of Yushchenko's speech in Strasbourg is the hope for an early entry into the European Union: "The path is difficult, but not necessarily long." A period of five years was also named.

The Ukrainian president could not help but remind the European parliamentarians about Russia, the “eternal strategic partner.” And to dispel European fears: "In Europe, Ukraine is expected not with two suitcases of Ukrainian-Russian problems, but with harmonious relations between our countries."

Now the meaning of his visit to Moscow is becoming clear - to sort out the “suitcases” and move lightly in the direction of the Old World. Yushchenko wants to be sure that the Kremlin will not hamper this process with behind-the-scenes negotiations. He makes reassuring statements on key issues, but the wise listener senses the difference between what Yushchenko says and what Kuchma said.

The Ukrainian president does not deny the possibility of cooperation within the framework of a single economic space, but at the same time emphasizes that this project should not slow down his country's advancement to European markets.

Yushchenko in every possible way emphasizes the importance of Russian transit for Ukraine. But at the same time, already in Strasbourg, he spoke out against the idea of ​​a Ukrainian-Russian gas consortium without the participation of a third European party. Thus, he uses Moscow to emphasize to the Old World the importance of Ukraine as a transporter of gas and oil. And in the future - not only Russian.

Conclusion: Yushchenko's main goal is to “elegantly” chat Russia up so that it does not frighten Europe with threats to “turn on the taps” and anti-Ukrainian statements. It seems that the new president is coping with the tasks set so far.

As for the appointment of Tymoshenko acting. prime minister, who allegedly angered Putin, then one can argue. Symptomatic was a very benevolent story about "Lady Yu." on ORT. By the way, Tymoshenko is the only person from Yushchenko's entourage who was able to establish a dialogue with the Eastern oligarchs (and they are, partly erroneously, considered supporters of friendship with Moscow). So it is quite possible that the appointment of "Lady Yu." before flying to the Mother See, it did not aim to annoy Putin, but, on the contrary, reassured the Ukrainian public: the new president is cool, he makes appointments without consulting his older brother.

But Yushchenko did not tell Putin the bad news. On January 25, the Crimean government returned 350 hectares of the Yalta Reserve to republican ownership. This plot, according to rumors, was allocated under pressure from Kuchma for the construction of a hunting lodge for the Russian president.

Everyone heard that Putin asked the Ukrainian authorities to allow him to set up his residence in Crimea - two years ago in Yalta. No sooner had Yushchenko taken office than the environmentalists had already complained to him about the outrages that had been created. And the new Ukrainian president authorized an inspection by the Prosecutor General's Office.