The answers to these questions will largely determine how 2014 and Ukraine’s future develop. The United States has always been a strong believer in and supporter of the Ukrainian people and their efforts to make their nation a better place. Based on all I have seen in my first few months here, I remain very optimistic about Ukraine’s future and am firmly convinced that any lasting solution to the current political situation must involve the government of Ukraine working with the people of Ukraine, and their representatives, to forge a path all can agree on toward a brighter tomorrow. In particular, I am inspired by the vibrancy of Ukraine’s civil society, evidenced so dramatically over the past three weeks.
At this critical moment, President Yanukovych has an opportunity to address the concerns of all of Ukraine’s citizens and use the momentum of the people on the streets to implement real reform and lead the country towards closer integration with Europe. They demand it, and the president has repeatedly said he is committed to putting Ukraine on a European course. That course does not have to conflict with a robust trade relationship with Russia. This is not a zero-sum game.
Now is the time to steer towards that goal with better governance. The New Year needs to be all about realizing a better tomorrow…that is what I hope to see in Ukraine in 2014.
In October, when I addressed students at the National University of the Kyiv Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) I spoke of challenges and the potential I saw here, but I also spoke about an introspective Ukraine. A Ukraine that often looks inward to focus on its problems. I want to reiterate my thesis – you may need to look inward for the strength to make and face tough decisions, but only by engaging, with one another, with society writ large and with the world can Ukraine come to embody the change its citizens are demanding and fully participate in global affairs.
In order to fully engage and become a trusted partner for both East and West Ukraine has much to do. 2014 should not be a “year of pause” – it should be a year of forging ahead, making difficult choices to set the course for long term economic stability and changing people’s lives for the better, for good. Ukraine cannot do this if the government does not address the structural economic problems that created the current economic crisis. As I have said on many occasions, there is no durable alternative to a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund and, if the right reforms are in place, the United States will be a strong supporter of such an accord.
There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the deal with Russia and what it will mean for Ukraine’s economy and security. I’ll leave it to the experts to dissect the terms, but urge transparency from the government and full accountability for the agreements it signs on behalf of the Ukrainian people. I would caution that deferring economic and financial problems to 2015 doesn’t help Ukraine, and leaves the country more vulnerable than ever to the same economic problems it has today.
The United States welcomes the signals from our European allies that the door to Europe remains open to Ukraine and 2014 is the year to develop that relationship. That door provides a framework for the reforms that will create stability and prosperity. I hope that a larger debate about the association agreement – one free of scare tactics and ugly rhetoric – can help explain to a wide Ukrainian audience how much they have to gain through European integration.
No one who has been to the Maidan can fail to be impressed by the peaceful and energetic voices calling for change. In 2014, the United States will continue to commend and closely follow these efforts. We will continue to strongly support freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and respect for human rights that are key values in any democracy and are fundamental to our bilateral relationship. All Ukrainians should be proud of the non-violence and spirit of hope that has characterized the EuroMaidan movement.
In 2014, I hope the Ukrainian government will listen to its people and find a path forward to the democratic, economically prosperous, European future its citizens desire. It is important for all those who support a sovereign, independent, democratic, peaceful, economically healthy and European Ukraine to remain engaged and encourage productive dialogue to resolve the current political standoff. As Vice President Joe Biden recently said, “it’s in the most fundamental interest of the United States that Ukraine succeed…” Make no mistake, the world IS watching and we are ready to assist the government and people of Ukraine to realize their aspirations for a European future of independence, prosperity, and peace. I send my best wishes on behalf of the American people to all Ukrainians in the New Year.
Z Novym Rokom Ukraino!
Geoffrey R. Pyatt is the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.
