Ukraine is a nation whose politics is a story of democratic progress alongside corruption and political failure and where news from Ukraine is often focused on the problems within government. In the Orange Revolution of 2004/2005, Ukraine went through great political upheaval as the nation challenged the alleged corruption, voting fraud and intimidation that accompanied the Presidential election between rival candidates; Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych. The revolution saw Yushchenko emerge victorious and begin policies of anti-corruption, heralding a new era for democracy in Ukraine.
However as Ukrainian politics stands today, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, is in prison on charges of abuse of power; of over-stepping her role as Prime Minister to force a gas deal between Ukraine and Russia. Her imprisonment is marred in accusations of maltreatment and has been the cause of boycotts by UK ministers, today, of England’s matches in Euro 2012.
Ukraine is a nation on the edge of Europe, both geographically and politically, and yet it is important. It works closely with Russia, a nation it relies on heavily for both energy and other natural resources, and it is considered one of the most important participants in the European Neighbourhood Policy established by the EU. Even Ukraine’s hosting of Euro 2012 shows its cultural importance in Europe. However Europe has to reconcile Ukraine’s increasing political role in Europe with the national politics of a nation which is so often accused of corruption.
Governments have been formed and brought down in Ukraine throughout the 21st century, largely on the rumors and accusations of corruption from disaffected politicians and the media. Voting fraud is a common accusation and in 2010 it was the basis of Tymoshenko’s attack on the Presidency of Viktor Yanukovych. Votes of no-confidence and the dismissal of MP’s are also characteristics of modern Ukrainian politics and appear to question the legacy of the Orange Revolution that sought to push Ukraine into a new era of politics. One that would appeal to a wider Europe.
The question today, with the denouncement of Ukrainian politics by UK ministers, is whether Ukraine fits in with modern European politics? Can it overcome the allegations of corruption and prove to the world that Ukraine’s leadership can fit alongside other leading regimes?
A Little View of the World 
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