Old Comrades in the New Government

The latest reshuffles in the top offices of key government institutions have reinforced the Family – to no one’s surprise – and highlighted an interesting trend: people with Russian background are being appointed to the government en masse.

The Battle for Inheritance

The trend of the past two years whereby the Family has been increasing its weight in the conglomerate in power turned into a dominating objective in 2012. Reshuffles in the conglomerate in power fuels conflicts within oligarchic groups.

Decision Time

It will be ever-more difficult for Yanukovych to walk the geopolitical tightrope. Moscow and Brussels will force him to make a definitive decision as early as 2013

Ban on the Sale of Ukraine’s Black Earth Extended

The existing moratorium on the sale of agricultural lands has been extended until as late as 2016. The Ukrainian Week looks at possible beneficiaries

Taming the Oligarchy

In late December, The Ukrainian Week hosted a public discussion on oligarchic capitalism in Ukraine with members of parliamentary opposition parties. MPs from Batkivshchyna, UDAR and Svoboda share their ideas and initiatives on freeing the Ukrainian economy from the yoke of the oligarchs and creating a favourable environment for free and competitive business. Below is an overview of the opposition’s plans and comments from newly-elected MPs.

Referendum Sleight-of-Hand

The Viktor Yanukovych regime plans to hold a referendum on constitutional amendments to increase manoeuvrability in repressing political opponents while securing a long period of immunity for the president

The US Bans Visa for Prosecutor General

The West begins to launch sanctions against some representatives of the Yanukovych regime, but the first “victim” appears to be a provocateur

Dangers to Ukraine’s Independence

The country’s sovereignty will be challenged through a combination of domestic turmoil, Western estrangement, and Russian assertiveness

Will the Magnitsky Act Apply to Ukraine?

If passed in its universal version and applied world-wide, it could have serious implications for Kyiv

In Whole or in Part?

The Kremlin will try to drag Ukraine into the Customs Union – or at least get control of some sectors of its economy

Divide and Conquer

Moscow knows that Ukraine may slip out from under its control after the 2015 presidential election. It looks like the Kremlin is setting the scene for a preventive attack.

Andriy Pyshnyi:The further Ukraine is from the Customs Union, the better

The newly-elected MP and right-hand man of Arseniy Yatseniuk talks about the Customs Union,the threats of referendums under the new law and why the current Administration does not welcome young and progressive middle class

Opposition Rings the Alarm Bell

Members of the opposition fear that a new law on referendums is intended to pave the way to joining the Customs Union with Russia.

Time for Action

Yanukovych & Co do not hide the fact that their strategic goal is to retain control over the country. Society is ready to resist this with bottom-up consolidation and initiative

No Illusions

Ukraine’s majority needs to accurately assess the potential of the current opposition. This will help spare the country from further disappointment and preserve hope for an alternative project

Azarov Versus Firtash

News about escalating conflicts between groups of influence within the ruling party surface in the foreign media, including the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, after the Party of Regions fails to get the result it expected in the election

Another Step to Isolation

After the contested election victory of the Party of Regions, Ukraine will feel increasingly alone and abandoned by the West.

David Kramer: We’ve been talking about carrots for too long. Carrots don’t work. It’s time to have a serious conversation

David Kramer, president of Freedom House, told The Ukrainian Week about sanctions as a necessary step similar to measures against Russia

Steven Pifer: The West now views Ukraine as a country that has gone off the democratic track

Steven Pifer, long-time diplomat and US Ambassador to Ukraine in 1998-2000, has been known for reserved comments on the Ukrainian government. However, in his latest interview for The Ukrainian Week, Mr. Pifer sharply criticized the backslide on democracy in Ukraine and outlined the impact the October parliamentary election might have on the Ukrainian government’s future relationship with the West.

Time for a Tymoshenko-Lutsenko Bill?

US might use the Magnitsky Act to apply sanctions against officials that violate human rights in other countries, including those involved in the persecution of opposition leaders in Ukraine.

Lateral Transfers in Law Enforcement

Personnel rotations began at Ukrainian law enforcement agencies after the election.

A New Reality

The protest near the CEC showed that the opposition is not capable of building effective strategies to counteract the government, at least for the time being. It lacks coordination and well thought out joint actions.

Separate Yanukovych from Ukraine

European officials come to realize that there should be a separation between the Yanukovych regime and the majority of Ukrainians

ENEMO Observation Mission

ENEMO calls on authorities to preserve the will of voters at the tabulation process

The Distorted Will of the People

The absolute majority of Ukrainians voted against the Yanukovych regime, however, a propresidential majority will once more dominate parliament

The First-Past-the-Post-Element

The opposition won from 55% to 90% of votes in 16 oblasts out of 24 and Kyiv. However, the first-past-the-post component brought the Party of Regions and pro-government independent candidates victories in 57 out of 119 constituencies