Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium
Ukraine is undergoing a deep institutional crisis. The
upcoming early parliamentary elections represent a compromise
between the parties of President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime
Minister Viktor Yanukovych. In addition to their intense
personal rivalry, the forthcoming elections are likely to reflect
the major geographic and political splits within the country.
The elections, it is hoped, will bring an end to the deadlock
resulting from an Eastern-leaning parliamentary majority, headed by
Yanukovych's Party of Regions, and a Western-leaning President and
parliamentary opposition block. The campaign is mostlyfocused on
domestic issues such as corruption and the rule of law, butforeign
policy priorities are at stake and the contention over the path and
pace of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration will also
persist.
The implications for US-Ukrainian relations are vast. Will the
elections help Ukraine regain its democratic momentum and
strengthen domestic rule of law? More importantly, will the
elections lead to greater internal cohesion and allow a unified
Ukraine to move forward as it pursues both domestic reforms and
foreign policy agendas? The outcome of this close race is crucial,
particularly at a time when Russia is seeking to increase its
influence in Eurasia
More About the Speakers
Amb. Oleh Shamshur
The Embassy of Ukraine
Amb. Steven Pifer
Senior Advisor,
Russia and Eurasia Program,
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Amb. Keith C. Smith
Senior Associate,
Europe Program,
Center for Strategic and International Studies