No Debts

Ukraine has paid all its outstanding debts to Russia. This means Ukraine can now build a relationship of equals with Russia, said Viktor Yanukovych, Prime Minister of Ukraine and presidential candidate. “Russia is and will be Ukraine’s strategic partner,” he emphasized, adding that both Russia and Ukraine are interested in joining forces in many fields in order to sell competitive products on world markets.

Mr. Yanukovych also noted that Ukraine remains open to cooperation with the European Union. He called for a “pragmatic, rather than politicized, relationship”. “We have a strategic interest that we are going to defend,” he pointed out. According to the presidential candidate, there are two attitudes to Ukraine in Europe. One is based on respect; according to the other, Ukraine should meet the conditions imposed by the EU. “We will never accept this kind of attitude. We have suggested a model that will satisfy both the EU and Ukraine, namely, short-term agreements and two-to-three-year programs. Let us wait for the time being and build our relations on the basis of free trade,” Mr. Yanukovych stressed.

Speaking of Ukraine’s NATO membership, he noted that this country should speed up reforms in the Armed Forces.

As for political reform and introducing amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine, Mr. Yanukovych pointed out that he would act within the limits of the current legislation only. “We must not ruin but improve things in this country and do this purposefully,” he said.

Touching on the Russian language problem, the candidate stressed that Ukraine must respect all nations and languages. “This is why I will always take a liberal stand on language policy. We should not stir up enmity between the Ukrainians and Russians; we must develop both languages, still giving preference to Ukrainian as the official language,” Mr. Yanukovych emphasized.