Translated "Avante!" article by Luis Carapinha, Member of the International Department
The Vilnius Summit on the EU East Partnership came to an end as a fiasco, on the 28-29th November last. The Ukrainian “no” to the EU association, ruined the party with which Brussels intended to partially redeem from the dragged crisis, in which it fags (the preliminary agreements signed by Georgia and Moldavia are but a consolation). And represents an undeniable setback, concerning the EU and NATO’s expansionist strategy in the East front, and which the USA hoped for and supported since the URRS dismantlement. It is important to highlight this fact, considering the volatile situation Ukraine holds.
The loosing resentment exhibited by Durão, Rompuy and the Eurocrats of all lineages and echelons, hastily gave place to a unbridled reaction in the centre of Kiev. The violence and extremism demonstrations in Ukraine’s capital do not configure only but a kind of general rehearsal of the scenery under preparation for the upcoming presidential elections in 2015. They represent an non-hindered attempt to reissue the 2004 events occurred in the Independence Square ( so-called as the Euro-Square), following an “ orange-revolution - episode 22” model. A coup attempt which carries on to be the most shameless external interference. As the participation in demonstrations - before or upon the Vilnius Summit - of public figures such as the Lithuania Parliament president or J. Kaczynski, the Polish most conservative right-wing leader. But this time the operation might fail.
The EU pressures upon, the Ukraine president during the Lithuanian capital conclave, did not cease, up to the last moment. The demand for the previous release of former prime-minister, Iulia Tomochenko, known as the “gas princess”, fell by the wayside.
However, Ianukóvitch kept his word given for Kiev on the 21st November, when, surprisingly, the suspension of the negotiations with the EU were announced. Within the everlasting Ukrainian political plot, all the opposition parties - exception for the CPU - and the Region Party in power - a political force with liaisons to powerful economic interests with the original seat within the industrial base in the East of the country, predominantly holding Russian origin population - , do not stop confessing their fidelity towards the “European” line. But the discredited “ governmental arch” parties in Kiev, know well that in Brussels nobody counts with Ukraine, with an economy -by the way- begun again into recession. Practically, the implementation of about the 900 pages of the desired agreement with the EU, which holds as a nuclear piece, the establishment of a free trade zone, would become equivalent to Ukraine’s capitulation before both the community acquis impositions and the EU great economic groups greed. Moreover, the desired association with the EU ought to have been accompanied by a new IMF loan to Kiev, having as a counter-part the gas tariffs increase, salaries freeze and social expenditure cuttings, in the state budget. A mean aspect on which the media have chosen silence.
The parade round Ukraine is very high. Ever since the look on the dominant USA system, “Ukraine currently faces a crucial period which might determinate its independence and international vocation for decades, if not centuries” (in Ariel Cohen, 2013.10.21). Above all interests under discussion “ to gouge Ukraine from Russian influence”, a primordial imperialism objective remains.
Therefore, hard days are announced for Ukrainian workers and people. The demand for the organized and persistent struggle in the defence of their rights. Only throughout this path it will be possible to safeguard sovereignty and a future of progress and peace, aimed by the great majority of the Ukrainians.