Interview with first president of Ukraine (Leonid Kravchuk)

[steve2470]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10670554/Ukraine-interview-Britain-and-the-US-must-stand-up-for-Ukraines-sovereignty.html

Just over two decades ago, Leonid Kravchuk travelled to a state dacha in one of Europe’s largest forests to sign an agreement that buried the Soviet Union and allowed the birth of Ukraine.

But the man who served as its first independent president, between 1991 and 1994, is deeply worried about his creation. In the aftermath of the revolution, he fears that his country could simply dissolve, with the largely Russian-speaking Crimea breaking away.

“The danger is enormous,” he told The Sunday Telegraph, speaking before Russian forces proved him right by occupying key installations across Crimea on Friday.

“There is direct Russian interference in the political life of Crimea,” added Mr Kravchuk. “Russia is already considering a simplified procedure to offer Russian citizenship to Ukrainians, not only in Crimea but in other regions too. There are ideas to turn Ukraine into a federation. This is very dangerous.”

*much more at link*

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. Again, I hope all Du'ers note that the Ukraine was a Mafia state under Yanukovych

It is estimated that Yanukovych and his family funneled at least 70 billion out of the country by stealing state funds and shakedowns/payoffs demanded of the oligarchs. Kravchuk appears to me to be nothing more than a highly corrupt leader more than happy to take over Yanukovych's rackets. I think all this talk about fascists is mildly amusing as the real battle is between those that are fighting to see who controls the ability to steal tens of billions of dollars. It does not appear to me that there are any true ideologues in the fight. Just greedy actors all hoping to be the be the next Mafia don.

[steve2470]

2. Kravchuk was president in the nineties

I don't know how corrupt he was.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. Very!

He represents just another faction in the Mafia war taking place right now in the Ukraine. One can easily argue that he is merely the former Don taking control from the recent head of the family.

[steve2470]

5. I do see his corruption, on wiki

Soon after his defeat in 1994, Leonid Kravchuk joined the powerful business and political group known as Kiev Holding or the Dynamo Group. This group, led by oligarchs Viktor Medvedchuk and Hryhoriy Surkis, is formally organized as the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (united). Despite its formal centrist/social-democratic slogans, the party is widely associated with big business, organized crime,[citation needed] corruption, and media bias in favor of former President Kuchma. In 2004, Surkis was banned from visiting the United States, due to his alleged involvement in irregularities during the Ukrainian presidential election, 2004. The group also took a strongly pro-Russian and anti-Western stand. Analysts say that TV channels and other media controlled by the group have started a sharp anti-U.S./anti-NATO campaign.

Kravchuk has been highly criticized for remaining one of the leaders of SDPU(o), specializing in negotiations and public relations, despite his declared pro-democratic and patriotic position.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Kravchuk

[newthinking]

4. Most of the MPs there all enjoy the same "benefits"

If this was really about cleaning things up surely they would have cleaned up their side of the parliament as well?