Not So Western After All

THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY AWARE THAT THE UTOPIAN PROMISES MADE FOR THE COUNTRY IN THE FIRST EUPHORIC DAYS OF INDEPENDENCE ARE COMPLETELY HOLLOW. FREE FROM THE FETTERS OF THE SOVIET EMPIRE, UKRAINE EXPERIENCED DECLINE INSTEAD OF RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS TENSION INSTEAD OF NATIONAL UNITY, AND POLITICAL STASIS INSTEAD OF REFORM. CLASHES WITH RUSSIA OVER CONTROL OF THE BLACK SEA FLEET, AND THE PROBLEM OF WHAT TO DO WITH UKRAINE'S OVER-SIZED ARMED FORCES ADD TO THE GENERAL PROBLEMS OF THE COUNTRY.