Let me say here, a Yanukovych presidency is committed to the integration of European values in Ukraine. Ukraine should make use of its geopolitical advantages and become a bridge between Russia and the West. Developing a good relationship with the West and bridging the gap to Russia will help Ukraine. We should not be forced to make the false choice between the benefits of the East and those of the West. As president I will endeavor to build a bridge between both, not a one-way street in either direction. We are a nation with a European identity, but we have historic cultural and economic ties to Russia as well. The re-establishment of relations with the Russian Federation is consistent with our European ambitions. We will rebuild relations with Moscow as a strategic economic partner. There is no reason that good relations with all of our neighbors cannot be achieved.He did not say anything new, the main message is Ukraine should be a bridge between EU and Russia, and his main agenda to restore economic growth by: 1) creating jobs, 2) stabilizing prices, and 3) increasing social transfers.
My argument against the main message is that nobody wants to live on the bridge, people like to build on a solid rock. There is a clear trade-off that can not be avoided: either integrate with EU or integrate with Russia, in both cases there is something to lose and something to gain. Staying in between is a shaky and non-stable equilibrium.
