“Even if the Association Agreement is signed, Ukraine’s leaders can have no illusions about the challenge they face. Scrutiny and criticism of Ukraine’s record on human rights and democracy issues will surely continue. Tymoshenko herself, whether in prison or outside, will continue as the opposition’s symbolic and spiritual leader, and her ordeal will serve as a lightning rod for international intervention in Ukraine’s domestic politics. Above all, Ukrainian officials will find that despite the enormous cost and difficulty involved in completing the Association Agreement, a signing ceremony in Vilnius is only the beginning,” expert believes.
“If Ukraine falls short in November over selective justice or for any other reason, recent history suggests a bleak outlook, and there is no cause to think that harsher punishment or enhanced isolation would succeed where diplomacy and engagement have not.
Yet if the Association Agreement goes forward, the resulting deeper engagement should be used to incentivize further progress down the path of reform. Only Ukrainians can decide what their future prosperity will entail, but strengthened trade and travel links with Europe will cast a bright spotlight on the historic opportunities that lie ahead,” Rojansky notes.
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