From Chinese Press

Russia the invisible presence in Clinton's 5-nation tour

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-06 10:14

NEW REALITY IN UKRAINE

Though new Ukrainian leadership keeps reiterating its final goal of joining the European Union and NATO, it became obvious that Kiev's pro-Western stances faded after Victor Yanukovich came to power.

When "orange coalition" was still in reign, a visiting U.S. official could expect a way more enthusiastic reception in Kiev than that on last Friday, and Clinton made little efforts to conceal this new coolness.

The U.S. secretary of state herself set a new tone in conversations with her Ukrainian hosts, saying that the door to NATO remained open to Ukraine but the country is under no obligation to join.

"Let me say very clearly: Ukraine is a sovereign and independent country that has the right to choose your own alliances," Clinton said during talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko.

Yanukovich was also swift to confirm that his country would stay out of any military blocs that was, undoubtedly, a lovely music for the Russian officials' ears.

"Clinton had her arms tied during her visit to Kiev," Tomsky told Xinhua. "Yanukovich did nothing the U.S. could be patting him for. On the other hand, Washington can be cautious in criticism to Yanukovich not to break a shaky balance in the Moscow-Kiev-Washington triangle."

"No agreement was signed during the visit. This marks U.S. diminutive interest in Ukraine. All talks of the relations 'deepening' and 'extension' are, in my opinion, just a diplomatic euphemism used when one must say something but have nothing real to say," he said.