Ukraine’s Journey
When discussing a county that has been affiliated with Russian Communism, you wouldn’t expect to hear terms like Supreme Court, President, National Security, and Constitution. But when talking about Europe’s new Ukraine, that is what it’s all about. Since the 18th century, Russia and Ukraine have been in a relationship.
Ukraine first declared independence in 1918, and was renamed the Soviet Republic. However, Ukraine soon became under Russia’s rule once again. Only was complete sovereignty reached under the leadership of President Leonid Kravchuk, on August 24, 1991. Since the Soviet Union had just collapsed itself, they deserve most of the credit. A slow reformation began at this point to create a Ukraine Republic.
Of course, this transition to a republic government has not been smooth and easy. They have seen economic failure in 1998, and extreme violent protests against government leaders like former President Leonid Kuchma who was accused of corruption in government and even murder, which is why he retired in 2004. With a vacancy, Ukraine was able to hold a campaign and election for their new President. Ukraine comprises of more than 15 political parties such as: the Republican, Social Democratic,Ukrainian Peoples Party, the Communist Party of Ukraine, Progressive Socialist, and Its Time! Party.
Ukraine puts a new definition to dirty campaign tactics. Candidate Viktor Yanukovich, from the Our Ukraine-Peoples Self Defense Party, was hospitalized after dioxin poisoning that almost ended his political career indefinitely. After accusations of a fraudulent runoff election, protestors began the Orange Revolution. The supporters of Viktor Yushchenko, Yanukovichs opponent from the Party of Regions, covered the streets of the capital, Kiev, and other large cities with orange, Tushchenkos campaign color.
A reelection resulted from this protest, beginning a much needed transformation. Reformed election laws were produced after seeing the havoc of this campaign. Campaign survivor, Viktor Yushchenko won the election as President in 2005 and the Prime Minister became his defeated Viktor Yanukovic. Yushchenko vowed to end corruption within the business and government world of Ukraine, despite the many accusations against him of favoritism.
While looking at the transitions this country has taken over nearly one hundred years is interesting in a political and historical perspective, the people themselves may shed an enlightening view on the effect this is having on Ukraine’s society. Katalin Kovachs, a native to Hungary, Ukraine’s western neighbor, lived in different areas of Ukraine during 1997. As an outsider to the country, Kati had the perspective to see the impact this change is having on the people of Ukraine.
When Kati lived in Kiev, she visited the historic site of the Orthodox Church, on the riverbank. A smaller version of Mother Russia stands there, a statue of a woman holding a sword in the air, which has been nicknamed by locals as The Found Mother or even Big Mama.Russia placed this here as a gift, and hoped it to have similar significance at America’s Statue of Liberty. Most people, however, do not see it that way. Kati said in her own words that the Ukrainians hate it because it was built by Communists, and it has desecrated their church there.
Ukraine is still saturated with Russian influence. Kati was surprised to find she speak mostly Russian in all of Ukraine. Only in the North Eastern Region do they speak Ukrainian. That splits the languages in Ukraine between their native Ukrainian and Russian.The Black Sea spans the southern shores. Amongst this scenic view, you can see the largest fleet of the Russian Navy floating in the midst. I wouldn’t recommend swimming to far out from the shore.
This political reformation has created with the Ukrainian people a distrust in all their government officials. Kati was able to interact with a lot of locals, and they all felt they had undoubtedly been mistreated. In Kati’s words, They felt tricked because of their belief in communism. Life after communism was promised to be better, but again they were tricked. Money was gone, jobs were gone, and all opportunity for a better life also seemed to be gone, so their hope was gone too.
The economic crisis has hardly helped with the despairing population. Even those with jobs experience intense hardship. Kati observed these conditions first hand. She said she saw so many people who went to work each day and never get their payment until the end of the year, and their payment was a sack of potatoes.
The people have turned to each other for support and salvation by growing their own gardens and even raising their own animals, like cows for trading amongst each other as a source of food. Kati spent much time in many different homes of these people and was overwhelmed by their attitude of hopelessness. All the people she saw and met were completely burnt out.
Ukraine’s future rests on building hope to a people in a country that has seen too many failed governments, flags, and unkept promises. Independence has always come at a costly price. Since they have only enjoyed their freedom for 16 years, maybe only time will heal this nation into a whole country with leaders of vision to seek for a better Ukraine.
