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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

THEY DIDN’T ASK US AGAIN

13 November, 2012 - 00:00

Ukraine is an important factor of European security and stability. It is reckoned with and its opinion is respected. One can hear this from any ranking official dealing with foreign contacts.

If it were, the European Commission would not have adopted another package of sanctions without consulting Kyiv.

The point is not that the Serbian army and police should or should not carry out that action against the Kosovo Albanians, or whether or not Yugoslavia should be punished.

The point is that the imposition of new international economic sanctions against Belgrade may well stop Ukrainian navigation on the Danube again (as in 1992-96). That time Ukraine suffered economic losses that cannot be estimated even approximately, because potential opportunities were also lost (including transit, transportation, and trade). One thing is certain: these losses run into the billions of dollars. Kyiv hoped that the UN would reimburse some of them and that postwar reconstruction programs in Bosnia would also help. As it is, neither the United Nations nor Sarajevo seem to heed Ukraine as Europe’s “key” country.

Hardly anyone can guarantee now that the situation will not be repeated, considering that Ukrainian-EU relationships leave much to be desired.

As crucial decisions are made that cannot but affect Ukrainian interests, no one is interested in our opinion, and this has become almost an international rule over the past few years. This is perhaps the real criterion of just how much ice Ukraine cuts on the international arena. It is treated the way the rich and the famous of this world think it deserves. In other words, any attempts Kyiv makes to influence any European processes appear utterly utopian.

Yugoslavia is apparently an example to be followed, although there will be more phraseology about Ukraine being an exceptionally important European country. No indications so far that this precedent will be overcome.

After all, to stand one’s ground one has to have it and means to do so. Watching the Ukrainian leadership, the overall impression at times is that they care very little about how this country is regarded abroad.

 

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