Ukraine
US regime-change operation in Ukraine exposed in leaked diplomatic phone call
By Patrick O’Connor, 7 February 2014
US officials discussed which right-wing opposition figures were to be placed in power in Ukraine.
Ukraine and the pro-imperialist intellectuals
By Alex Lantier, 5 February 2014
The “Open letter on the future of Ukraine” issued by Western academics and foreign policy operatives is a vile defense of the ongoing far-right protests in Ukraine.
EU and Washington step up pressure on Ukraine
By Peter Schwarz, 4 February 2014
In Ukraine, the EU and the US are seeking to install a technocratic government pledged to implement harsh economic reforms and change the constitution.
Western powers, opposition step up pressure on Ukrainian regime
By Stefan Steinberg, 31 January 2014
The regime of Yanukovych and his cronies is being pressured out of office to make way for a regime more aligned on US and EU interests.
Ukrainian Prime Minister resigns as EU keeps pressure on Russia
By Stefan Steinberg, 29 January 2014
The Ukrainian government’s resignation followed intense pressure by the European Union and the US which both intervened directly to promote opposition protests.
As Ukrainian regime totters, oligarchs call for talks with right-wing opposition
By Alex Lantier, 28 January 2014
The intervention of the oligarchs underscores the anti-working class austerity agenda driving both the regime and the far-right opposition.
Pro-Western Ukrainian opposition stokes up civil war
By Stefan Steinberg, 27 January 2014
Pro-Western opposition forces in Ukraine have pushed the country one step closer to civil war by insisting on regime-change.
As riots spread, right-wing Ukrainian opposition threatens new clashes
By Alex Lantier, 24 January 2014
The right-wing, Western-backed opposition threatened to step up violent protests, as pro-opposition rioters took over state buildings in several cities in western Ukraine.
Three dead in clash between Ukrainian regime and right-wing protesters
By Stefan Steinberg, 23 January 2014
In seeking to topple the Yanukovich regime, the EU and US have unleashed nationalist and neo-fascist forces that threaten to plunge Ukraine into turmoil.
Ukraine opposition leader meets with president to defuse protests
By Stefan Steinberg, 21 January 2014
Having brought Ukraine to the brink of civil war, Berlin has advised the opposition to enter talks with the government.
Russian offer of aid sharpens international power struggle over Ukraine
By Johannes Stern, 18 December 2013
The deal between Putin and Yanukovich is at least for the time being a setback for European and US imperialism.
Tensions rise in Ukraine amid dueling pro- and anti-EU rallies
By Alex Lantier, 16 December 2013
Demonstrations for and against Ukrainian membership in the European Union shook Kiev as the EU pressed for deeper austerity measures.
Which way forward for Ukrainian workers?
By Peter Schwarz, 14 December 2013
The absence of the working class as an independent and self-conscious force is bound up with the reactionary legacy of Stalinism.
Ukraine round-table talks fail as power struggle intensifies
By Johannes Stern, 14 December 2013
The power struggle in the Ukraine intensified after the failure of round-table talks between the government and right-wing parties leading pro-European Union protests.
Stand-off in Ukrainian power struggle continues
By Peter Schwarz, 12 December 2013
Pro-European Union protesters continued to occupy Independence Square in Kiev yesterday after riot police failed in an attempt to force them off the streets.
Factional struggle intensifies between Ukraine’s oligarchs
By Ulrich Rippert, 11 December 2013
The current political crisis in Ukraine centers around which group of rival oligarchs will come out on top.
Ukrainian government issues ultimatum to end pro-EU protests
By Stefan Steinberg, 10 December 2013
The government has set an ultimatum to demonstrators expiring at midnight, at which time all occupied government buildings are to be vacated.
Mass protests in Ukraine demand ouster of President Yanukovich
By Alex Lantier, 9 December 2013
Hundreds of thousands participated in right-wing, pro-EU protests against the oligarchic regime of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich.
The struggle for Ukraine
By Peter Schwarz, 6 December 2013
The protests in Ukraine bear the label “Made in Germany,” “Made in the EU” and “Made in America.”
Pro-European Union protests mount in Kiev
By Peter Schwarz, 3 December 2013
There is no fight for democracy and the rule of law taking place in Ukraine, but rather a conflict among oligarchs and a power struggle between Europe and Russia.
Ukraine abandons plans for closer ties to the European Union
By Clara Weiss and Peter Schwarz, 27 November 2013
On Thursday, Ukraine suddenly abandoned plans to closely link itself with the European Union, provoking a political crisis in the country.
EU in tug of war with Russia over Ukraine
By Clara Weiss, 8 November 2013
The planned signing of an association and free trade agreement between the European Union and Ukraine has led to sharp tensions with Russia.
Tensions grow between Ukraine and Russia
By Clara Weiss, 22 August 2013
Russia’s Customs Agency halted the import of Ukrainian goods to Russia last Thursday.
Ukraine bombings point to growing political tensions
By Niall Green, 30 April 2012
Explosions in Ukraine point to mounting tensions within the country’s ruling elite.
Russia signs trade deal with former Soviet republics amid growing regional tensions
By Niall Green, 24 October 2011
Russia has struck a free-trade deal with several of its ex-Soviet neighbors. The move is especially significant as it brings Ukraine and Russia closer together at a time when the EU is attempting to strike its own trade deal with Kiev.
Ukraine abandons NATO candidacy
By Niall Green, 12 June 2010
The new administration in Kiev seeks to improve ties with Moscow and the EU, while preparing with austerity measures against the working class.
The Ukrainian election and the demise of the “Orange Revolution”
By Niall Green, 3 March 2010
The crushing defeat of Viktor Yushchenko in Ukraine’s presidential poll in January and the election of Viktor Yanukovich in the second round vote held February 7 mark the ignominious end of the 2004 “Orange Revolution.”
Political turmoil continues in Ukraine after presidential election
By Andrea Peters, 13 February 2010
Ukraine remains embroiled in political conflict after last weekend’s run-off election that gave the presidency to Viktor Yanukovich, who defeated rival Yulia Timoshenko by a margin of just over 3 percent.
Ukraine election marks declining US influence in region
By Niall Green, 21 January 2010
The humiliating defeat of incumbent Viktor Yushchenko in Sunday’s Ukrainian presidential election represents a serious blow to the strategic interests of the United States.
Widespread disaffection in lead-up to Ukrainian presidential elections
By Niall Green, 16 January 2010
Five years after the “Orange Revolution,” and with the country mired in economic crisis, the same oligarchic politicians vie for power in an election that has generated little enthusiasm among the Ukrainian people.
Five years since Ukraine’s “Orange Revolution”
By Niall Green, 28 December 2009
Five years after gaining office in the “Orange Revolution,” Viktor Yushchenko faces defeat in an election in which the same oligarchic forces vie for power as in 2004. Meanwhile ordinary Ukrainians endure the ravages of the global economic crisis.
Ukrainian economy suffers sharp fall in 2009
By Niall Green, 29 October 2009
Five years after the “Orange Revolution,” the Ukrainian economy is in the deepest crisis since the post-Soviet economic and social implosion of the 1990s.
Economic crisis, geopolitical rivalries overshadow Ukrainian election campaign
By Niall Green, 23 September 2009
As in the disputed presidential election of November 2004, bitter disputes between rival sections of the ruling elite—and the interests of foreign powers—are dominating the campaign for Ukraine’s presidential election to be held in January.
US Vice President Biden visits Ukraine and Georgia
By Niall Green, 23 July 2009
US Vice President Biden visited the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Georgia this week. Despite recent concessions in certain strategic areas, Biden’s tour is a warning to Moscow that Washington retains strong interests in the region.
The Mousavi campaign in Iran and the lessons of past “color revolutions”
By Niall Green, 4 July 2009
The political movement of defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, named the “Green Wave” due to its campaign color, has striking parallels with the US-backed “color revolutions” in the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Ukraine.
The Russia-Ukraine gas conflict and the geopolitical struggle for control of energy resources
By Vladimir Volkov, 3 February 2009
The natural gas dispute sharpened Ukraine’s political and economic tensions, provoked a wave of anger in Europe and reinforced European desires to diversify its sources of gas.
Ukraine and Russia reach gas agreement
By Niall Green, 26 January 2009
A deal has been reached to end the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Millions across Europe have been left with little or no gas for heating in the middle of winter.
Eastern Europe left in the cold
By Niall Green, 16 January 2009
The gas flow from Russia to Ukraine tentatively resumed on Tuesday—only to halt amid accusations of theft and US conspiracy. But despite efforts in Brussels and Berlin, the European powers have proven incapable of responding in a coherent unified manner to the crisis, putting national self-interests first.
Russian gas supplies through Ukraine resume
Dispute exposes crisis of European energy strategy
By Niall Green, 13 January 2009
Russia, Ukraine and officials from the European Union have agreed to a deal to resume natural gas supplies to Europe after Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom turned off gas supplies for Ukraine on January 1.
With sub-zero temperatures across Europe
Russia-Ukraine gas dispute leaves thousands without heat
By Niall Green, 10 January 2009
With sub-zero temperatures across Europe Russia-Ukraine gas dispute leaves thousands without heat By Niall Green 10 January 2009
With sub-zero temperatures across Europe
Russia-Ukraine gas dispute leaves thousands without heat
By Niall Green, 9 January 2009
Natural gas supplies from Russia to Europe via Ukraine have been halted or greatly reduced in the latest stage of a dispute between the ex-Soviet neighbours over prices and allegations of unpaid bills.
Ukraine-Russia gas dispute disrupts European supply
By Niall Green, 8 January 2009
Gas exports from Russia to Europe via Ukraine have come to a complete halt, according to Naftogaz.
Ukraine’s “Orange” elite reunites to impose IMF-dictated austerity measures
By Niall Green, 22 December 2008
The two parties associated with the “Orange Revolution” in Ukraine have re-established their parliamentary coalition, three months after it collapsed amidst bitter acrimony and accusations of treason.
Huge IMF bailout for emerging economies
By Peter Symonds, 1 November 2008
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), backed by central banks in the US and Europe, has taken drastic steps over the past week to prop up so-called emerging economies around the world from Asia to Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Eastern European economies face bankruptcy
By Niall Green, 23 October 2008
The economies of central and eastern Europe are being rocked by the crisis of world capitalism, compounded by the corrupt and pro-big business policies of their local elites.
Ukraine: US-Russia conflict provokes government collapse
Cheney’s visit
By Niall Green, 10 September 2008
The coalition government of Ukraine, made up of the party of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and the smaller Our Ukraine party of President Viktor Yushchenko, collapsed in bitter acrimony on Wednesday, September 3.
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