Evening Standard comment: Ukraine - it’s not a zero sum game

If Ukraine is to remain a unitary and stable state, then the interests of both communities must be respected before and after the elections

Updated: 11:50, 24 February 2014

After the revolution, the backlash. The Ukrainian parliament has issued a warrant for the arrest of the former president, Viktor Yanukovych, on the basis of his authorising the security services to kill civilians during the protests. Mr Yanukovych had already gone to ground. Yet it is time for both the former Ukrainian opposition, who now call the shots in parliament, and the European Union, which has broadly supported them, to tread carefully in this febrile situation. The sole concern must be to respect the will of the people. The elections will not take place until May and the important thing is to ensure stability before and after the poll.

Ukraine is a profoundly divided society, with part of the population oriented towards Russia and the rest , especially young people, inclined to favour closer bonds with western Europe. It is plainly in the interests of the country to be more closely aligned with the EU, politically and economically, but our aim should be to ensure that those in the east of the country do not feel prematurely alientated by the new regime in Kiev. Mr Yanukovych was a disastrous leader who did indeed authorise security forces to kill civilians, but it would be counter-productive for his victorious opponents to take a winner-takes-all approach. Russia has made clear it is concerned at the latest turn of events and has withdrawn its ambassador. The EU must support the new interim government without making Russia feel it is regarded as an enemy.

As the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, intimated yesterday, the ideal situation now would be for a government of national unity. That would require a formidable diplomatic effort and enormous compromises on the part of the EU-backed victors as well as disgruntled supporters of Mr Yanukovych. The stakes are huge. A large subsidy for the Ukrainian economy from Russia is obviously at risk, as is a deal for hefty discounts on the price of Russian oil and gas. EU ministers have said that the EU would step in with support for the economy but it is worth pondering how this can be reconciled with acknowledgement of Russia’s legitimate role in Ukraine.

The worst scenario would be partition, because it is often accompanied by ethnic cleansing at worst and marginalisation at best of minority communities in each separated part. Few countries divide cleanly. But if Ukraine is to remain a unitary and stable state, then the interests of both communities must be respected before and after the elections. As Mr Hague has pointed out, this is not a zero sum game. Let’s hope Russia feels the same.

7/7 remembered

The bombings of  July 7, 2005, which killed 52 people, have left an abiding mark on London as well as continuing pain for the bereaved. Yet the private foundation that organises the commemoration of it has lost National Lottery funding and astonishingly, the Mayor has failed to commit to provide the £5,000 needed to hold the simple service that takes place at the memorial site at Hyde Park. 7/7 was an attempt by Islamic extremists to destablise London; the service is an opportunity to show them they failed. It would be churlish and wrong of Boris to refuse a modest sum from this symbolically important event.

Malala and FGM

Malala Yousafzai, the schoolgirl shot by the Taliban for promoting schooling for girls, is backing the campaign against female genital mutilation. Given her work to liberate girls from educational discrimination, particularly in Muslim societies, she is an ideal campaigner against this other, devastating oppression. The more support, the better.


Don't Miss
Under the Skin - film review

Film of the Week

Under the Skin - film review
Grace Dent reviews the hottest table in town: Chiltern Firehouse

Grace Dent

Our critic visits Chiltern Firehouse
Bombay Bicycle Club, O2 Academy Brixton - music review

Music review

Bombay Bicycle Club at Brixton Academy
Pictures: Party people - the stars out in London

Party people

The stars out in London
Sunshine sisters: The Pierces interview

Sunshine sisters

Interview with new band The Pierces

Beat school

Why Chase & Status are opening a free school in east London
FISHbone - restaurant review

Restaurant review

Posh piscine at FISHbone
The Spirits: Richard Godwin's cocktail adventures

The Spirits

Richard Godwin talks to Bompas and Carr about their latest experiment
Miranda Hart, O2 Arena - comedy review

Comedy review

Miranda Hart at the O2 Arena
Cara and Kate team up for Burberry

Cara and Kate

Cara Delevingne teams up with Kate Moss for Burberry campaign