Blue &Yellow: Politics and Economics in Ukraine

As the days begin ticking away toward the next presidential election (set for October), President Yushchenko states that there is no need to change the present election system (Ukrainska Pravda).  The president reminds readers that Ukraine followed a democratic path, while also reminding voters about the political changes since the Orange revolution. While Yushhenko reminds voters who probably won't be voting for him regardless of his role in 2004, others are reminding Europe about promises made to Eastern Europe. In a piece in the Wall Street Journal Former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski writes on Europe's duty to support the former Soviet bloc (via RA). 

The country may recieve $5 billion from Russia, on the condition $3 billion be used to spend gas while the rest can be spent as the country sees fit (DT). Russia doesn't give money away out of kindness, so the question: What does Tymoshenko give Russia? Perhaps GTS?  Or perhaps it will be used to help finance the elections this fall. 

The money has to be buying something, because Russia's economic situation may mean that the country will need to borrow from the World Bank (Bloomberg). If the Russians are going interested in borrowing it would suggest that the country is cash strapped. Granted the loan to Ukraine may not go through as Russia re-considers its needs, but its telling that its willing to spend money to curry favor with the Ukrainians.