See also my paper on Populism in Ukraine that can be downloaded from my home page.

1) Ukrainian Pravda has run several articles about the secret meetings between Tymo and Yanuk, which have taken place over the past year. Now, several members of both BYuT and PoR have admitted that talks have taken place, despite previous denials.

And it’s all bubbled to the surface – witness the proceedings in Parliament, where the main talk is about who called who names in the past, whether people’s feelings were hurt, “who’s on top,” and the mega-coalition.

2) There were quite a few bombardments started in Ukrainian media and even blogs, etc. regarding a) the need to reform the consitution and b) converting to a Parliamentary form of government.

Tymo has made sure not to show up.

And as one article pointed out, neither side wants to be the first to agree, as this will alienate their voters.

Tymo vowed, in the past, that she would never get into bed with PoR.

Similar noises from PoR.

Kind of odd that they think that only the side that is the first to announce will have its support crater.

Politics sure makes strange bedfellows.

“Yushchenko has himself stated he is all for a grand coalition who’s aim is working to solve the current financial crisis, but, for some reason you refuse to either see that or admit it. Yushchenko’s inability to work with Tymoshenko?”
Most Western and Ukrainian commentators believe the cause of their inability to work together is Yushchenko and his former side kick Baloga. I know for a fact that in December 2007-January 2008, after Tymoshenko came back as Premier, that the BYuT/Tymoshenko side offered to support Yushchenko’s election for a second term. There was no reciprocity from Yushchenko and instead daily attacks and attempt at undermining the government. Yushchenko’s ratings collapsed to 2-3% in the course of 2008.

Re-read my Moscow Times op ed: you are obviously wrong to say that I have ignored the un-democratic aspects of the coalition (such as prolonging the Rada, giving Yanukovych two terms as president elected in the Rada and giving him greater powers than Yushchenko has under the 2006 constitution). I condemned this in the op ed and condemn it now (and will continue to do so).

“the coup has been in the planning for quite a long time”. Do you have inside information to make this claim? Ukrainian politics is never long term! Ukrainian politics is always undertaken for short term gain.

“I think prevention is better than cure.” I agree – its now up to Yushchenko. Maybe this will become his finest hour (and ride back to power)???? I bet Yushchenko wishes he had never released Baloga!

I am surprised at how weak is the BYuT media counter-attack.

This coming week will decide if it happens or not. Look out for a rocky week.