To Shut Doors Tightly

MOSCOW, Russia -- Oleg Rybachuk, head of the Ukrainian presidential secretariat, arrived on a working visit in Moscow Wednesday to hold informal talks with the staff of the Russian president. Rybachuk is the third politician of Ukraine who came to Moscow during a week.

Oleh Rybachuk
Before the departure, Rybachuk said he was heading for Moscow to gain experience. On September 8, 2005, Rybachuk moved from the vice premier office to take over the secretariat of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.

Rybachuk’s briefer Svetlana Zalishchuk said her chief intends to hold informal meetings with some Russian politicians and experts. The highlight is reorganization of the presidential secretariat, where the Russian experience is also significant.

It is the second Moscow tour of Oleg Rybachuk over a month. Moreover, he is the third influential politician of Ukraine, whom Russia’s capital welcomed during a week. Former prime minister of Ukraine, Yulia Timoshenko was in Moscow only five days ago. She settled all issues with military prosecutors of Russia and dropped in at Putin’s administration on the way. After the visit, Timoshenko’s mate and former vice premier Nikolay Tomenko hinted she was in Moscow as a leader of parliamentary election campaign, with whom it is better to make an agreement than to compete or wage war.

Oleg Rybachuk represents quite the opposite party. Before the orange split into Yushchenko and Timoshenko’s groups, today’s office of Rybachuk was held by Alexander Zinchenko, who acted as a link between Yushchenko and Kremlin. Zinchenko does the same now but for Timoshenko.

Rybachuk’s briefer blankly denied any relation of the present visit of her chief to the Moscow visit of Timoshenko. Nevertheless, it is clear that today’s top priority for Rybachuk is to enter into direct connection with Moscow, which was broken by Zinchenko’s withdrawal. In addition, it is the beginning of election fight in Ukraine, so Ryabachuk is not only to study out the structure of the Putin’s administration but also to endeavor to shut its doors for Timoshenko.

Source: Kommersant