Yevhen MARCHUK: “It is important that Trump has appointed seasoned politicians and not amateurs to key positions”

On January 24 The Day received Yevhen Marchuk, a well-known Ukrainian statesman who currently represents Ukraine in the security task force of the Trilateral Contact Group. The most recent developments in the world, especially those related to Donald Trump’s election, Russia’s tactical victory in Syria, the complex political situation in the EU, the strengthening of China’s stand, as well as the war in Donbas and Ukraine’s economic situation, all need expert assessment and forecast. All of these questions were touched upon in our conversation with Marchuk.

“Ukraine’s diplomatic resource must be aimed at the relations with the US, we need to realize this clearly,” says Marchuk. “As far as our relations with the Russian Federation go, only Washington can influence the Kremlin. Today the US has even bigger, critical importance for Ukraine. The question is, how American policy will be evolving after the election of the new president. There are certain things which at least balance off my worries, if not inspire confidence. It is important that Trump has appointed seasoned politicians and not amateurs to key positions. My guess is that at present he is more concerned about, and focused on, the domestic situation, but with time his character will be manifested in foreign policy as well.”

 Under such conditions Ukraine more than ever needs clear-cut strategies and transparent definitions, which it has often lacked in many aspects. This concerns things like the failure to appoint ambassadors to many countries and even NATO, or some politicians’ statements about a speedy de-occupation of Donbas without any explanations.

  Read the full interview with Yevhen Marchuk in our next issue