Fears for Ukraine as pro-west coalition fails

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: FT

Ukraine's pro-west coalition collapsed yesterday, plunging the country into political uncertainty, hitting financial markets and undermining recent efforts by western leaders to show their support for Kiev following Russia's intervention in Georgia.

President Viktor Yushchenko threatened to dissolve parliament and call snap elections unless a new coalition can be formed, blaming the crisis on supporters of Yulia Tymoshenko, his firebrand prime minister.

While Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko joined forces in the 2004 Orange Revolution and both support west-oriented policies, they have engaged in a bitter personal power struggle that has persistently handicapped the government.

The upheaval comes just before Dick Cheney, the US vice-president, arrives in Kiev this week with a message of support for Ukraine and a few days before Mr Yushchenko is due to travel to France for a European Union-Ukraine summit. Kiev is seeking membership of both the EU and Nato and wants to secure increased western backing to counter growing Russian political and economic pressure.



Read more: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bccca6a2-7a1a-11dd-bb93-000077b07658.html

[AlphaCentauri]

1. Fears for Ukraine as pro-west coalition fails

Source: FT

Ukraine's pro-west coalition collapsed yesterday, plunging the country into political uncertainty, hitting financial markets and undermining recent efforts by western leaders to show their support for Kiev following Russia's intervention in Georgia.

President Viktor Yushchenko threatened to dissolve parliament and call snap elections unless a new coalition can be formed, blaming the crisis on supporters of Yulia Tymoshenko, his firebrand prime minister.

While Mr Yushchenko and Ms Tymoshenko joined forces in the 2004 Orange Revolution and both support west-oriented policies, they have engaged in a bitter personal power struggle that has persistently handicapped the government.

The upheaval comes just before Dick Cheney, the US vice-president, arrives in Kiev this week with a message of support for Ukraine and a few days before Mr Yushchenko is due to travel to France for a European Union-Ukraine summit. Kiev is seeking membership of both the EU and Nato and wants to secure increased western backing to counter growing Russian political and economic pressure.



Read more: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bccca6a2-7a1a-11dd-bb93-000077b07658.html

[Purveyor]

2. At last...a bit of 'good news' this early morning. eom

[xchrom]

3. upheaval just before cheney arrives? -- wher have we heard that before? nt

[TheLastMohican]

4. Pro-western?

More like neo-con.
I don't think the current ukrainian government is benefiting EU in any way constantly stealing russian gas and oil destined for EU.