Here's a statement issued by the US State Department:
The United States is deeply concerned by recent steps taken in Ukraine to remove Members of Parliament from the Rada. We note with particular concern efforts to deprive Serhiy Vlasenko, a Member of Parliament and defense counsel for former Prime Minister Tymoshenko, of his seat in Parliament, his corresponding immunity from prosecution, and his right to travel outside Ukraine. These actions appear to be politically motivated due to his connection with Mrs. Tymoshenko.
We also note with concern the High Administrative Court’s extra-judicial decision last month to annul the mandates of independent Members of Parliament Pavlo Blaloha and Oleksandr Dombrovsky. These actions create an atmosphere that inhibits political competition and freedom of expression.
The United States urges Ukrainian authorities to honor the will of Ukrainian voters as expressed in the October 2012 parliamentary elections. We call on the Ukrainian authorities to end politically motivated prosecutions of opposition leaders and to abide by their international commitments to the rule of law and democracy.
I wonder if the Ukrainian Government is deeply concerned that the President can order drone strikes on US citizens on US soil? It would truly be funny if they issued such a statement in response.
ReplyDeleteLysander
Ukraine has always struggled with being associated with Europe or with Russia.
ReplyDeleteCurrently, there is no greater meddler in Ukrainian affairs than Vladimir Putin, who grants medals of honour to Ukrainian MPs that promote Russian-language chauvinism in Ukraine and work to undermine Ukraine's own history, nationality, language, culture, religion, society, economy and statehood. I recall this quote from a few years back …
ReplyDelete~~~ Putin is not known for his tact when speaking of Russia's western neighbor, which declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In April 2008, a source told Russia's Kommersant newspaper how Putin described Ukraine to George Bush at a NATO meeting in Bucharest:
"You don't understand, George, that Ukraine is not even a state. What is Ukraine? Part of its territories is Eastern Europe, but the greater part is a gift from us." ~~~
[ Putin to the West: Hands off Ukraine (May 25, 2009 … by James Marson)
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1900838,00.html ]
... and that should put things in perspective about the arrogance and idiocy of Putin and a great many (but not all) Russians. Way to go, Vlad the Inebriated! Lead your own sheep to hell!