John LOUGH: Western counties should support principles, and not personalities

The Chatham House, the British think tank, has developed six basic principles that Western countries should follow in their relations with Ukraine in order to support its development. This was stated by Mr. John Lough, Associate Fellow of the Ukraine Forum, Chatham House at the 12th Kyiv Security Forum, organized by Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

First, Western countries must unquestionably support sovereignty, territorial integrity of Ukraine and adhere to the principle that Crimea is Ukraine. Secondly, support the achievements of Ukraine and "give more cakes than whips" should be. Ukraine should not demand quick victories, but detailed plans to achieve changes. The "anchor" for these plans may be cooperation with the IMF, because the current cooperation stand-by program is, obviously, not the last. 

“Western countries should support principles, not individuals. We should encourage those who are President-in-power to stick to Ukraine’s European path and reform agenda” - he said.

In addition, the Chatham House emphasizes that European countries should demonstrate unity and solidarity in supporting Ukraine, be consistent and realistic in terms of changes in Ukraine, and also look at the long-term prospects for the country's development. "If we do not focus on a long-term perspective, strategic thinking - then Russia would be able to impede successfully the European path of Ukraine", - Mr. Lough underlined.

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The annual international event Kyiv Security Forum was launched by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine in 2007. Sincethen, the Forum has become a platform for high-level international discussions on current issues of national security, security issues of the Black Sea region, Europe and the world.