In a recent article on atlantic-community.org, Dr. Heinrich Bonnenberg convincingly argued that Germany should take more responsibility for ensuring Ukraine, given its European history and the historic Orange Revolution, becomes a member of the European Union. He makes a similarly convincing argument that Ukraine should not be granted NATO membership due to Russian concerns, rightfully mentioning that many EU member states are not also members of NATO.
I agree with Dr. Bonnenberg’s contention that the German political class should make Ukrainian membership in the European Union a priority, as well as his argument that Ukraine should not be granted membership in the NATO alliance. I would, however, add a few conditions to German support for EU ascension.
First, Germany should urge Ukraine to begin paying closer to market rate prices for Russian energy. Right now, Ukraine pays far less than its western neighbors for Russian fuel. Despite this, it has found itself in gas disputes with the Russians twice in the last two years. As many officials pointed out to me during a recent reporting trip in Germany, Ukraine could just as easily have been accused of stealing Russian gas as Russia could have been accused of cutting supplies. The media tends to present Ukraine as the victim of Russian greed – a misleading characterization. Paying closer to market rate prices – and paying on time – has the potential to improve relations with Russia while ensuring security of supply to Western Europe.
Second, Germany should urge Ukraine to keep its political house in order. The Orange Revolution was a triumphant moment for democracy. But the power struggle that followed it threatened to undermine the revolution’s tremendous gains. It appears now that the political situation has stabilized. However, this stabilization needs to be longterm.
Finally, Germany should urge Ukraine to cut back on anti-Russian rhetoric. Yulia Tymoshenko’s 2007 Foreign Affairs article raised relevant concerns about a resurgent Russia. However, she chose the wrong forum to bring these concerns into the public debate. Directly addressing issues like those raised in the article through diplomatic channels would have been the more responsible route.
If these steps are taken – or if Ukraine at least appears to be attempting to make these steps – Germany should be a champion of Ukrainian membership in the European Union. Without these efforts, however, Germany would be ill advised to be a vocal supporter of the Ukrainian cause. The European Union’s Russia policy, while not consistent in substance across member states, is at least consistent in theme – Russia is a European partner. Ukraine needs to adopt this same theme if it wants to become a part of the European alliance.
David Francis is a journalist based in Washington, DC. He recently traveled through Europe as a John J. McCloy Journalism fellow to report on energy securty issues. He can be reached through his Web site at www.dcfrancis.com.
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June 12, 2008
Heinrich Bonnenberg, Energiewerke Nord
DGAP, Platinum Contributor (229)
In our time of globalization, in the 21. century, it is really not an adequate discussion in this small and densely populated Europe about the question who of the Europeans will militarily attack whom of the Europeans. And therefore also the question whether Ukraine should be member of NATO or should be not is really not an adequate topic. Such a discussion rather looks like the squabbling among badly educated children and narrow minded teachers. In reality this discussion about Ukraine induces suspicion and hinders to follow the real challenge of Europe.
The real challenge of Europe is to find a European identity, the European civilization, for making Europe a strong competitor in the international competition of civilizations, with competitors like China and India. This should also be understood by Ukraine.