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In reply to the discussion: What is going on in Ukraine? Who is for what in that country? [View all]pampango
(24,692 posts)22. Yanukovych actually ran on a pro-EU integration platform in the 2010 election.
Regarding the European Union (EU) Yanukovych wants to create a free trade zone and visa-free travel between Ukraine and the EU countries. Once "Ukraine achieves those standards that currently exist in Europe", then the country should consider joining the EU. "But today this is an absolutely motivating, stimulating process we must aspire to", he stated in January 2010. In May 2011 Yanukovych stated that he will strive for Ukraine to join the EU. According to Yanukovych Ukrainian relations with "the West" are "a guide in both social and technical standards that we should strive for in creating a European life level in Ukraine". Yanukovych believes that the European integration of Ukraine is not an end in itself, but a way of implementation of the European standards in the state.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Yanukovych#Official_political_positions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Yanukovych#Official_political_positions
Something must have convinced him to change positions at the last minute and side for closer ties with Russia.
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I thought the same thing....just read that China bought a bunch of their land to farm for
Laura PourMeADrink
Jan 2014
#25
Party in government is pro-Russia. Demonstrators are pro-EU and want Ukraine to align with Europe.
Spider Jerusalem
Jan 2014
#5
getting big loans from the EU or EU/IMF/ECB troika comes with current EU neoliberal policies as well
BelgianMadCow
Jan 2014
#14
The agricultural west wants to join EU; the industrial east wants to join Russia
FarCenter
Jan 2014
#8
Yanukovych actually ran on a pro-EU integration platform in the 2010 election.
pampango
Jan 2014
#22
Without energy the economy collapses; Ukraine runs on oil and gas from Russian pipelines
FarCenter
Jan 2014
#26
"NATO politics does not allow for neutral countries. You are either with us or against us."
pampango
Jan 2014
#30
That is interesting to me. My grandparents immigrated from the Ukraine sometime around 1920 but
Laura PourMeADrink
Jan 2014
#27
I'm reccing this thread for the audacity and courage to a) say you don't know and b) ask for help
BelgianMadCow
Jan 2014
#13
All I know is that it's a fine mess and we need to stay the hell out of it.
LuvNewcastle
Jan 2014
#15
No, "you" wont stay out. You're perceived to be in the thick of it. To wit:
BelgianMadCow
Jan 2014
#19
It's just as I thought. Some people have to stick their noses (and dollars) into everything.
LuvNewcastle
Jan 2014
#24
Actually, siding with the protesters sounds like it has its shortcomings, as well.
randome
Jan 2014
#35
JDP - You left yourself wide open. But ! It always amazes me that people here
Laura PourMeADrink
Jan 2014
#28