Suffice it to take a careful look at this less than eventful late summer to get an impression that the time of fanfares and joy because of Ukraine’s successful foreign policy is undoubtedly over.
As recent days showed, the real work to establish a friendly external environment for the country is just starting. Apparently, the best evidence of the lack of such an environment was Leonid Kuchma’s recent jubilee celebration which was not attended not by a single Western leader nor even by such an ardent friend of Ukraine asPolish President Aleksandr Kwasniewski. Such a demonstration of friendship and loyalty showed in an informal situation would be of no small importance if we take into account the economic and financial crises in Ukraine. And if a lasting practice of informal meetings between Ukrainian and Western leaders existed, who knows, perhaps even the “great Schengen wall” would start to decay, frozen loans to thaw, and capital would flow into Ukraine. Thus, Ukraine, being supported in its harshest time by the Western leaders not only morally, would be less vulnerable to the crisis. And the problem of introducing visa regimes by neighboring countries in case they become EU members would have other dimensions. However, as it was repeatedly stated, diplomacy can do only what the domestic circumstances allow it to do, but that is another topic.
Ukraine’s influence in the region can be well illustrated by the results of negotiations between the Premiers of Ukraine and Moldova. For a long time Kyiv has kept asserting that any territorial exchange is impossible. But it now turns out to be possible. A piece of an undoubtedly important highway has been exchanged for a piece of land which Moldova needs to build a sea terminal. This sign of good will can later cause many problems for Ukraine with the Danube steamship company and possibilities for transit transportation. But possible benefits from establishing the Lower Danube Euroregion may also overshadow these problems. At least, I would like to believe in it and in Ukraine’s ability to defend its interests in negotiations with Romania on dividing the continental shelf as well.
Turkey’s promise to conduct an antidumping investigation concerning Ukrainian steal and scrap exporters is also among Ukraine’s “achievements”. Turkey can be blamed here only on defending its own interests in the way it considers appropriate. As Ukraine is not a WTO member, Turkey has the right to put obstacles in the way of Ukrainian goods.
It is a sad picture to observe Ukraine being treated in a way it does not deserve to be. Especially when it itself is guilty of this. Is it not high time for the sleeping dignity to awaken in Ukrainians’ souls?






