Right to choice up to people

Right to choice up to people

Ukraine has deeply been mired in a political crisis caused by massive pro- and anti-government actions.

The immediate trigger for the stormy events is the Ukrainian government's dealing of the European Union issue. On November 21 Ukraine announced that it stopped the process of signing the coalition deal with the EU involving the free trade agreement and decided on November 29 to rebuff the deal.

Ukraine has long sought admission to the EU but there have existed some differences between the two parties in the light of regional, political and economic interests.

As a former Soviet Union republic, Ukraine was the second biggest country after Russia and borders Russia eastward and EU nations westward.

So it is needed to keep relations with both parties.

With its sights set on regional integration, Russia tries to drag Ukraine in its tariff union, while the latter looks to the West for financial and technical aid to develop its economy.

Ukraine has pursued admission to both organizations, giving rise to conflicts between relevant parties.

This year witnessed trade disputes between Ukraine and Russia.

Analysts said that the divergence of opinion constitutes a sticking point in bilateral relations.

Ukraine remains at odds with the EU over the conviction of former prime minister Timoshenko.

The US and other Western countries have blamed the Ukrainian government for sentencing the pro-Western politician to a seven-year imprisonment and urged it to reduce the prison term.

An observer asserted that the prevailing protest actions in Ukraine have nothing to do with the admission to the EU and they should be linked to the Western intervention and political coup of the opposition parties aimed at the future parliamentary election.

Russia and the EU are pointing an accusing finger at each other.

The point at issue is the US which is poking its nose into the issue.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said that the US fully supports the anti-government protest actions and the Ukrainian authorities are to blame.

US senator John McCain and other politicians voiced concerns over the crackdown on the demonstrators on their trip to the country and threatened an examination of sanctions.

The responsibility for the current political crisis in Ukraine rests on the US.

The past "colour revolution" in Ukraine backed by the US has resulted in the disputable political structure prone to power struggle.

Experts predict that the US' intervention would make the situation more complicated.

In fact, the right to choice for escape from the political chaos is up to the Ukrainian people themselves.

By Ryu Hyon Sop PT