Is Ukraine Becoming A Failed State?

Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg: Ukraine Is in Danger of Becoming a Failed State

The most effective thing Russian President Vladimir Putin did to destabilize Ukraine was the one thing the West was demanding: He leaned on pro-Russian separatists in the country's east to cease fire. Left without the much-used cover of a war, the internal divisions and dysfunctional core of the Ukrainian political elite didn't take long to reveal itself. Rather than the democratic hope it might have become after last year's "Revolution of Dignity," Ukraine now looks like just another incompetent and corrupt post-Soviet regime. It's no wonder cracks are appearing in Kiev's all-important relationship with the West.

The government is in turmoil: Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk is in danger of being fired as soon as that becomes legally possible in December, threatening the fragile ruling coalition, in which Yatsenyuk's party is the second strongest force. If the coalition falls apart -- a likely outcome if Yatsenyuk is forced to resign -- there will be an early parliamentary election. Pro-European Ukrainians might actually be relieved at that. Populists dominate the legislature, which would have made it difficult to push through meaningful reform -- if anyone were trying. On Thursday, the parliament rejected a bill specifically banning workplace discrimination against homosexuals.

WNU Editor: I have not done a Ukraine story for the past week or two .... it has personally been too depressing to think about it. The war may have quieted down in the eyes of the West, but in eastern Ukraine skirmishes are occurring and tensions are still high .... high enough that both sides could resume fighting within hours. As for the rest of Ukraine .... my worst fears are becoming realized. Wide spread corruption, economic depression, social unrest, the rise of extreme/racist/neo-Nazi nationalism, the utter absence of the rule of law, massive interference from the IMF, EU bureaucrats, and .... of course .... the U.S.. So much for all the hope and promises made in the past year and a half .... especially from the West.

This is why I am giving credit to the above post by Leonid Bershidsky .... he does an excellent job in summarizing how rotten to the core the Ukraine government has become, and I am giving him an even bigger thumbs up for exposing the uncomfortable fact that Ukraine President Poroshenko was the only one of the country's 10 richest people to see his net worth increase in the past year. The stories that I hear about President Poroshenko .... even if they are half true .... would make former Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych look like a "novice" in comparison. As for the average Ukrainian .... this is going to be a tough winter in Ukraine. Many are hurting right now ... and the young .... seeing that Europe has opened its borders .... are now leaving the country in the tens of thousands per month. On a personal note .... all of my Ukraine relatives, friends, and associates have been impacted by this mess .... I would not be surprise if half of them will be out of the country by the end of next year ... the young to western Europe, the older ones to Russia.