Viktor Yushchenko Disappoints Russian Delegation

STRASBOURG, France -- When making a report at PACE session in Strasbourg, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has never mentioned Russia.

Yushchenko at Strasbourg

“Undoubtedly, he was speaking extremely civil, and this is a plus. But the fact that in his principal report, there was no place for Russia (it was never mentioned, while Europe, the European Union could be found in each second sentence), rings a bell for me.

It is a sign that relations with Russia would be taken by Ukraine as a mere fact which may either hinder or not hinder its closing-in movement towards the united Europe”, said Konstanin Kosachev, head of Russian delegation at PACE session, chairman of the State Duma’s committee on foreign affairs. “It is not enough,” Mr Kosachev said.

The second “disappointing circumstance” was an appointment of Yulia Timoshenko as the acting prime minister. In time when Ms Timoshenko faces serious accusations in corruption, moreover in corruption of trans-boundary nature, under the case which is in the final stage of trial with sentences passed for many, “it is the clear Fronde, certain demarche, and at that, the demarche unfriendly in its relation to Russia,” specified Konstantin Kosachev.