Resistance To The Ukrainian Presidential Result Is Raising Tensions

Supporters of Viktor Yanukovych rally outside the Central Election Commission building in Kyiv on February 8. Photo from Radio Free Europe

Ukraine Heads Back Into The Arms Of Mother Russia -- Christian Science Monitor

Despite a dispute over fraud allegations in the wake of Sunday's presidential vote in Ukraine, pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovich is set to become the next president in what will be a dramatic shift back to pro-Kremlin policies.

The almost certain return of pro-Russian leader Viktor Yanukovich as Ukraine's president, five years after he was rejected by the country in the Orange Revolution, will be quietly savored in the Kremlin as another victory in Russia's ongoing contest with the West for dominance on the chessboard of the former Soviet Union.

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More News On The Ukraine

Tymoshenko to Challenge Ukraine Election -- Wall Street Journal
Ukraine faces crisis over legal challenge to election -- The Telegraph
Ukraine's Prime Minister Tymoshenko Won't Concede Election -- ABC News
Ukraine instability fears as Tymoshenko plans next move -- BBC
Timoshenko’s Maneuvers May Stall Ukraine’s IMF Bailout Loan -- Business Week/Bloomberg
Washington praises Ukraine vote as boost for democracy -- AFP
A revolutionary result in Ukraine -- The Age
A Vote Of Confidence: Democracy Is Real Winner Of Ukrainian Election -- Radio Free Europe
A victory for the Kremlin -- The Telegraph editorial

My Comment: Resistance from Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko to this weekend's Presidential results is a mistake. Elections have consequences, and she and her followers are following a pathway that can only deliver unrest and instability to a country that has grown tired and weary of unrest and instability.

I still have 2 uncles, 3 aunts, and a number of cousins who live in the Ukraine. They have suffered terribly in the past few years. Unemployment, the banking crisis, gas and energy shortages, inflation and political infighting .... my only surprise is that President-elect Viktor Yanukovich did not win by a larger margin.

My family in the Ukraine are Russian, so their support of Viktor Yanukovich was not a surprise .... in fact .... they felt relieved when the results came in. But their concerns on where the country will now go is genuine. As Russian Ukrainians they have a strong attachment to Russia .... but they are also Ukrainian citizens. This weekend's Presidential results showed a deep divide in the country .... split between Ukrainians and people of Russian descent .... that can in itself stroke tensions and bad feelings. My hope is that this will not happen .... that solving the economic problems will become the priority for the country .... not fermenting historical and ethnic animosities.

Formal Ukraine admission into NATO is now a dead issue .... as it should be. There was nothing of value to be gained in such a relationship .... for all parties .... but a great deal to be gained by those who favored increasing tensions and animosities. My hope is that NATO understands that the new dynamics on the ground has changed everything .... and that they should now step back. My instincts are telling me that this will be the case.

On a side note, I will be visiting my relatives in the Ukraine and Russia this summer. Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev are my main stops, but I will also be visiting the birthplace of my mom (100 km west from Moscow), and my father (50km south-east from Kiev). War News Updates will still be updated during this time .... and yes .... I will be pumping out the pictures .... and yes I am really looking forward to this trip.