A statesman with a clear stand
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Scientist
“I’m a man of action. It takes me little time to take an idea and carry it out,”
Yanukovych, Kyiv, 2003
“I was never a straight A-student, but I did well in school. Science was easy for me and the teachers would say: “He picks up very quickly!”
Kyiv, Telekrytyka, August 2004
“I would call 2004 the moment of purification of Ukrainian society. We laid the groundwork for a new political model... But the old system is struggling, not surrendering and looking for ways to stay in power!”
Interview for the Sunday Telegraph, April 2007
“What was bad in those slogans proclaimed on Maidan in 2004? I will say that despite being in the epicenter of these events, I understood perfectly well that if my opponents manage to realize their dreams, I will have no choice but to join them and work on implementing those solutions,” said Viktor Yanukovych.
Kyiv, February 2010
Language issue
Section 5 of the electoral program: “Two languages and one state!” is clearly stated and even in bold text with the following words: “I’m in favor of making Russian the second state language.”
Official electoral program 2009
“We have prepared over 20 draft laws recently aimed at implementing the European Charter of languages in our country. They envisage the formal use of the Russian language in areas inhabited by the Russian-speaking population in our country. I am confident that we will adopt these laws and the president will ink them. I will sign this law on the Russian language.”
Kyiv, December 2009
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NATO
“Ukraine’s intention of joining NATO is logical. This requires that the country attain the standards needed to join the alliance.”
“The present-day military-political situation and the interests of Ukraine´s national security stipulated the need to deepen relations with NATO as the most likely guarantor of security and stability in Europe”
Kyiv, a meeting with the diplomatic corps, December 2004
“Responding to the challenges to make a final choice between Europe and Russia, I would choose Europe and Russia. Comparing these two key areas in foreign policy is the same as not seeing the obvious realities. Ukraine can be strong and stable only by having a strong position in the West and the East.”
Kyiv, a meeting with the diplomatic corps, December 2004
“During my tenure as premier relations between Ukraine and NATO were based on intensive cooperation with the Alliance. The only circumstance that prevents Ukraine’s immediate membership in NATO is that only 20% of the population supported the idea. But we will try to convince people with time.”
Interview with the Sunday Telegraph, April 2007
“We will not join any military bloc. Such is the position of the Ukrainian people, which must be respected and reckoned with.”
Kyiv, December 2009
On relations with Russia
“I am convinced that first and foremost we should take advantage of our common capabilities together with Russia. The latter’s strength is in its natural resources. Ukraine’s strength is transport and transit systems. They should be merged. I am sure that this will benefit both Ukraine and Russia. This applies not only to gas and oil fields. These are large projects. Here we must devise a common program that unites common interests, not suppresses them. The existing gas and oil pipeline grid must be reconstructed. When Europe sees Russia and Ukraine as a single partner, it will be interested in us forming a common policy in this sphere. Of course, there are forces interested in separating us.”
Rossiyskaya Gazeta, April 2004
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“In the spheres of trade and economics it is high time to eradicate all the problems and set up a free trade zone guaranteed by the agreement on the Common Economic Space. Moreover, this space should be based on the principles of the WTO, as these standards are the guidelines for both Ukraine and Russia since both countries are exportoriented. We are both aiming for accession to the WTO and agreed that we will move in the same direction. I believe that this issue should be transparent with a high level of mutual trust.”
Kyiv, November 2009
On the gas issue
“I would like to change all and go back to the contract of 2004, when gas was at US $49 in Ukraine, but I understand that this is unreal. I would like the price of gas for Ukraine at least as much as it is in Belarus. That is why we will do our best to make gas price for Ukraine fair.”
January 2010, Reuters
“First of all, Ukraine should revive the gas consortium issue. Secondly, we should get a guarantee on gas transport volumes through Ukraine’s gas transport grid from Russian suppliers and European consumers. And Ukraine as a transit country should be ready to assume responsibility for the reliability of supply. These principles should form the basis of a future treaty.”
Kyiv, January 2010
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Photo: ÀÐ |
Europe
“Ukraine is not Russia. I support the pro-Western course ...The difference between my position and that of my opponents is they want to go westward as soon as possible. Their leaders even talk about making Ukraine a key element of the sanitary border against Russia. Is Europe interested in such a confrontation? I´m sure it is not. I support gradual integration with the West.”
Interview for the Sunday Telegraph, April 2007
“We must build a Europe in our own state.”
December 2008
“For Ukraine it is important that it take a European perspective. The main thing is create a realistic mechanism for real integration into the EU, including a visa-free regime that would help Ukraine in the process of integration.”
Kyiv, January 2010
IMF
“The loans of the International Monetary Fund are used for the current needs of the government, not to solve fundamental problems. They have become powerful drug for the Ukrainian economy.”
Kyiv, August 2009
“The IMF should help the Ukrainian people overcome poverty rather than push them to the brink. The government received US $11.5 in loans from the IMF and squandered the money in violation of the law. Meanwhile, the IMF let it happen. I would like to ask IMF why it took the side of one of the candidates for president and gave him so much money without asking what he was going to spend it on.”
Interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais, February 2010
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“We will find a program that will satisfy both the IMF and Ukraine. We must renew cooperation. We will continue working with the IMF and will find the answers to all questions.”
Mykolayiv, February 2010
A man of principle
On democracy
“Not about the democracy we saw over the last five years – namely, a democracy for a separate small community, but for all. As they say, everybody needs democracy. We will make these changes using our own brains, as they say...”
Davos, January 2010
On freedom of speech
— What is your understanding of freedom of speech?
— Freedom of speech is freedom of speech
Kyiv, February 2010
On Strategy
“My goal is to devise a strategy for Ukraine for 2010”
Davos, January 2010
On Complexes
“For me, to a large extent, it does not matter whom I will call first once I become president. I really want that somebody to call me first instead... This is my great dream. And I really want this. I have been waiting for it for five years now.”
Davos, January 2010
Rule of Law
“As the head of two large companies – one employing 120,000 people and the other 42,000 – my colleagues and I would attend a meeting on a regular basis to practice behavioural tactics and which government decisions should be carried out and which should one should not as the laws are different... Those who began to observe the new laws were immediately mocked as they often lost.”
Kyiv, 2004
“There are laws that should be observed”
Kyiv, February 2010
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