The Post's June 4 editorial "Russia and Ukraine" stated that it can only
be positive that Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Ukrainian President
Leonid Kuchma are building a structure of normal state relations.
Unfortunately, the deal to lease bases in Sevastopol to Russia will not
permit such an occurrence.
Sevastopol is Russia's litmus test for accepting an independent Ukraine.
Today Russia cannot pass this test, and the 20-year lease for the Black
Sea Fleet ensures that Russia will not be able to pass the test within
the next generation. Future Russian leaders will not wish to see
Ukrainian statehood as a natural thing, because doing so could mean losing
Sevastopol.
Leasing of Sevastopol ensures that Russia has the incentive to undermine
Ukrainian independence. Ukraine's present weakness relative to Russia
has made it impossible for Ukraine to enforce its neutral status and demand
that Russia withdraw its troops from the Crimea. If Ukraine truly
became independent and economically stronger, this is what it would demand.
Russia thus can stay in Sevastopol only if it promotes a weak Ukraine.
Such a policy will not lead to normal state relations. |
