Tensions ease in Ukraine

By: DORON TYLER ANTRIM

Czech Prime Minister and European Union President Mirek Topolanek, together with his Foreign Minister, Karel Schwarzenberg, announced Saturday that the Ukrainian crisis had been resolved.

In a briefing on the crisis to the European heads of government, Schwarzenburg said there has been a “peaceful resolution,” and that he is “quite pleased with the response.”

A statement from the EU Mission to Ukraine said that Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko delivered a live address to the nation, reassuring citizens that they would be able to access their bank accounts soon.

Topolanek said he hopes this situation is used as an opportunity for the Ukrainian President and Prime Minister to bridge their differences and work together for the good of Ukraine.

Economic and political upheaval had gripped Ukraine. The people had become restless.

The International Monetary Fund was reluctant to release the second portion of its $16 billion economic lifeline to Ukraine because the Premier’s government had not met promises to rein in social spending and balance Ukraine’s budget.

The statement from the EU Mission said that both Yushchenko and Tymoshenko are now “speaking with one voice” as they work with EU leaders in negotiating the second installment of the IMF bailout.

The EU Mission said that it’s confident that a deal is on the horizon.

The statement also clarified that reports from Ukrainian police and Interior Ministry confirmed that Russian allegations of industrial sabotage to their pipelines were false.

A spokesman for the Russian government said that President Dmitry Medvedev was pleased to hear the reports, but wanted to send his own team to inspect the pipelines. He requested permission to have a manned surveillance aircraft conduct a flyover in Ukrainian airspace.

When asked if he was concerned that there was no direct dialogue between the Ukrainians and the Russians, Topolanek said no.

“I’d just like to remind you that this crisis only started 24 hours ago,” he said. “It will take time for the Ukraine and Russia to work out their differences, but this is a good first step.”

Also asked about the flyover request, Topolanek said he concurred with his foreign minister who believed that it should be worked out between the Ukrainians and Russians. He added, however, that the EU has asked Russia to be careful.

“We’ve asked [Russia] to not be too hasty and to first use diplomacy,” he said.