Ukraine crisis continues, no resolution in sight

Ukrainians demonstrate in support of opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko outside their country's embassy here in Prague, as the crisis following Ukraine's presidential elections deepens. There have been similar scenes in cities around Europe, and in Kiev tens of thousands of demonstrators surrounded government buildings. World figures including Poland's Lech Walesa and former Czech president Vaclav Havel have added moral support, creating echoes of events in Central Europe fifteen years ago when the Iron Curtain fell. Earlier, we spoke with Kiev-based journalist Alla Vetrovcova - who used to work here at Radio Prague - and asked her about the current mood in the Ukrainian capital.

Ukraine crisis continues, no resolution in sight

Opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko, photo: CTK

"It's intensifying: everyday people are coming and joining Ukrainians in Kiev to show that they really support the nation's choice, which is Yushchenko. And, there is a certain feeling of relief in the country because people now trust that they really have the power to change the future; everybody is tired by the lying of government officials."

Alla Vetrovcova also says it has been important for Ukrainians involved in the protests to know they have the support of world figures like Vaclav Havel.

"I think that Mr Havel was the first of the international public figures who put their support behind Mr Yushchenko and that was really inspiring in the minds of Ukrainians, support of their dreams. They are eager to join to Europe and there is no other choice for Ukraine: but it's possible only with Viktor Yushchenko."

Still, it has to be said not all parts of the country are united behind the opposition leader. Many parts of eastern Ukraine - like the industrial city of Donetsk - have come out in favour of Mr Yushchenko's opponent, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. But, even there says Alla Vetrovcova, the situation is not clear-cut.

Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, photo: CTK

"Well the case is that the people of Donetsk were supporting Viktor Yanukovych. But the thing is when they came on the buses on the evening of November 24th and saw the real situation in Kiev and we spoke with them, they told us they had been put on buses after their work-shifts and sent to Kiev under the threat that if they did not support Viktor Yanukovych they might lose their jobs."

So, what next for Ukraine? That is the question on almost everyone's mind as European politicians - including EU foreign policy head Javier Solana - scramble to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Some observers, including this Friday's edition of the International Herald Tribune, have already charged it's too little, too late - pointing out that the EU had been largely indifferent to democracy in Ukraine until now, that more could have been done to prevent the current situation from coming to a head.

Alla Balkovska is a Ukrainian journalist in Prague:

Ukrainians in Prague supporting Viktor Yushchenko, photo: CTK

"It was a mistake: Ukraine, 12 years after announcing independence, is in poor political and economic shape, and it's only gotten worse. The fact that the situation has caught the EU's attention at last is a good thing, but it is a shame it should happen so late in the day. I have to ask where was Javier Solana when [Russian President] Putin was getting involved in Ukraine's politics, backing Yanukovych. The EU must be more open to our problems; I'm not saying it should choose sides, but it should help defend the process of democracy."

Finally, we also asked Alla Balkovkska, how Ukrainians based in Prague were viewing the crisis. She had this to say:

"Most have taken the side of Yushchenko because many are people who were forced to live outside Ukraine during the government of Kuchma and Yanukovych - forced to live elsewhere. In short that is why they want a pro-western leader now. That is Yushchenko"