It will be unfortunate if Ukraine turns away from the road of reforms and democratization

The U.S. Ambassador in Ukraine Steven Pifer is an optimist. He hopes presidential elections in Ukraine will come off fairly and transparently, he believes Ukraine will become a democratic and economically viable state, a worthy partner of the U.S. and a good example for the Balkans and the Caucasus.

Ambassador Pifer perhaps believes in Ukraine even more strongly than many Ukrainian politicians and leaders. It is, probably, diplomatic practice to close eyes on some things. But Ambassador Pifer, reiterating U.S. interest in a very strong and prosperous Ukraine, does not intend to hide the fact that many things in Ukraine are far from being good and still demand a great deal of attention — “it will be unfortunate” in his words, if Ukraine veers off the road of democratization and reforms. He does not advise Ukraine to rely so much on IMF and World Bank credits, nor does he advise selling weapons to anybody willing to buy them.

And the feeling is that Western and U.S. support of the current Ukrainian President is not as sure a thing as Leonid Kuchma tries to make us believe.

Ambassador Pifer does not see the possibility of the Belarusian situation repeating in Ukraine. Does this mean his optimism is a guarantee that Ukraine is likely to see improvements sooner or later?

(For interview with Ambassador Pifer see page “DAY AFTER DAY”)