United World International Fund Calls for Ukraine's Continued Policy of Bridging the Divide Between the East and West

-- Ukraine's current political crisis demonstrates a need for international mediation to secure the country's democratic and economic development; increased tripartite trade cooperation between Ukraine, Russia, and the European Union; and clear signals that Brussels is serious about all aspects of integrating Ukraine into Europe, starting with a visa-exempt travel agreement --

KIEV, Ukraine, Dec. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eduard Prutnik, United World International Fund Chairman of the Board, issued the following statement following the recent political protests in Ukraine:

"The ongoing political crisis in Ukraine revealed an important problem of inefficiency of the existing political system. The question is not only about the powers of authority or the form of state rule, but about that this system turned out to be unable to address national and foreign challenges to Ukraine's security.

"Political actors and society are divided and have shown an inability to negotiate. Radical ideas have threatened to split the country and provoke civil conflict.  Instead of seeking compromise, the opposition and some in power have incited further tensions and pushed Ukraine near the point of no return.

"After a month of disagreements, the intensity of the infighting is still quite high. To stop the standoff and bring peace back to society, increased and productive dialogue is needed. Reconciliation is possible only through achieving convergence of views of the parties and involving efficient negotiators vested with necessary powers, and international mediators.

"According to the Budapest Memorandum of 1994 on Security Assurances in connection with Ukraine's nuclear disarmament, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Russian Federation extended to Ukraine security guarantees for its democratic development, territorial integrity and economical independence. Now it is time to call these security guarantees not only on the West, but on the East too.

"To ensure the continuation of Ukraine's policy of bridging any divide between the East and West, it is appropriate to involve not only the EU and the US but also Russia into the participation in the domestic dialogue in this regard.  It is equally important that the voices of those Ukrainian citizens who support Ukraine's integration into the Eurasian Union should not be ignored.

"The dialogue format with the key geopolitical actors as mediators and guarantors is able to increase the level of the parties' ability to negotiate as well as to provide the transparency of the negotiations themselves.

"Not just Ukraine's integration prospects but elaboration and implementation of the measures aimed at recovering from the crisis must become the object of the negotiation process.

"To raise the standard of living of every Ukrainian, any international mediation should focus extensively on increased tripartite trade between Ukraine, its largest trading partner Russia, and the European Union. Further, advancing trade ties between Russia and the European Union would benefit Ukraine as well, and help end the divisive and counterproductive pressure on our country to choose between East and West. "

"Finally, when Ukraine was teetering on the edge of a fiscal and economic cliff, Moscow issued financial assistance to Kiev and demonstrated a commitment to ensuring Ukraine's economic stability. Brussels must now show a similar seriousness that it is committed to easing EU travel and work restrictions for Ukrainians. Ukraine has enacted reforms in line with EU policies for enacting visa-exempt travel. Now Brussels has an opportunity to reward those Ukrainians who have protested on Maidan for European integration."

About United World International Fund

United World International Fund was founded in April 2008 at the initiative of Eduard Prutnik. The Fund focuses on:

• Targeted help to create a more healthy, strong, independent and developed Ukrainian community;
• Assisting in the further integration of Ukraine into the world and searching for a proper place for Ukraine in social, political, economic and cultural spheres;
• 
Cooperating with authorities in keeping and developing national culture as well as support for innovations, leading to cultural renaissance; and
• Assistance for talented youth as the most perspective resource of Ukrainian society.

For more information, visit United World International's Web site at http://www.uniworld.org.ua/en/about/

Contact: Dr. Alexander A. Balanutsa, Ph: +380-50-986-35-41/Email: [email protected]

SOURCE United World International Fund