Yanukovich Steers Back To Russia

With the return of Viktor Yanukovich as prime minister, the center of gravity of Ukrainian politics has shifted back to the country’s pro-Russian, industrial East. Yanukovich has strong constitutional powers and firm support in parliament, which virtually ensure that he will stay in the driver’s seat until at least 2010. As he did as prime minister in 2002-2004, he will promote the development of heavy industry and cooperate closely with Russia. Domestic big business groups will be the chief engines of economic progress.

Parliament Goes Haywire

It’s never pleasant admitting to having called something wrong. That goes double when it’s something as important as who will form the government. And in my first report as an analyst, no less.

Nevertheless, I stand by almost everything I wrote (see “Orange Reunion,” June 27). And as each day passes I hope it’s becoming increasingly clear to everyone that an Orange coalition with Yulia Tymoshenko at its head would have been far better than wherever we are heading now.