Courtesy Call

Russian President Boris Yeltsin thanked his Ukrainian colleague for starting the foreign political part of his second term by visiting Moscow. Ukrainian readers, listeners, and viewers know that this wasn’t exactly so. Before visiting Moscow, Mr. Kuchma appeared in Brussels, together with Romano Prodi, Chairman of the Commission of Europe. However, the Russian leadership ought to be pleased by the fact that the Ukrainian President visited Moscow first and Washington next. Yet this does not change the crux of the matter. While after his first victory Leonid Kuchma had to visit the Russian capital, today Moscow is just one of the world capital cities on the Ukrainian President’s itinerary. Also, this particular visit was not newsworthy as the best the Russians could do was restructure Ukraine’s debt. In Europe and the United States, he could count on actual help. As the West is starting to press conditions, Moscow feels content with recommendations.

Yet there is no problem of choice. In view of its economy, Ukraine cannot afford to be choosy about Western aid. On the other hand, Moscow must not be angered — and not so much the Kremlin as Gazprom and Lukoil. The two must know that Ukraine does reckon with them and this part of Moscow does rate a visit of several hours...

But several hours, not a minute longer. Symbolic, wasn’t it, that the very next day after Brussels he was on his way to Paris and thence to Washington. One can talk about priorities staying the same all one wants, yet the fact remains that previously such a visit would last several days, not several hours, turning into a series of sojourns with old comrades. Now the schedule is too tight for that. Old friends may be helpful in retaining power, but by no means in coping with Ukraine’s multiple problems. Here one needs something and someone else, and this calls for a flight across the ocean, starting on a journey not even slightly resembling a courtesy call.