While the title may not echo competence or confidence, The
chocolate king is the best Ukraine will have to do with. Petro Poroshenko, the
President-elect of the troubled nation, who will take office on the 7th
of June is tasked with one of the most difficult political endeavors in recent
history. His political agenda will not be limited to mitigating the domestic
turmoil inflicted due to factionist propaganda but also to walk a tight rope
with Russia and the West holding its two ends. If Mr. Poroshenko manages to rub
either of them the wrong way, the tight rope might turn into a noose. The path
he has taken to the presidency will help predict accurately the path he will
take post-authority.
Before bursting onto the international political stage as the
man entrusted with bringing peace and stability to Ukraine, he was known for
the billions earned from his confectionary business. The wealth also brought
with it a fitting name, ‘The Chocolate King’, which is not indicative of his
political experience in the least. He served as the Minister of Foreign affairs
in 2009-10 and also as the Minister of Trade and Development in 2012. While
these laurels put him in good stead for the top job, they also happen to be
major reasons for concern amongst the people of Ukraine and the international
community. Mr. Poroshenko is expected to rise from the ashes of Mr. Viktor
Yanukovych and offer better governance. But his past political affiliation to
the Yanukovych regime along with various corruption allegations which surfaced during
his association with President Yushchenko during the budding years of his
political years, gives way for doubts and fears.
But all is not lost.
The future should not be held captive by the past. The cloudy sky of Mr.
Poroshenko gives way for sunlight to shine through in some places. During his
time as the Minister for Trade and Development in 2012, he advocated for
further strengthening ties between Ukraine and the EU. Having been the Minister
for Foreign Affairs and the head of the Council of Ukraine’s National bank,
Mr.Poroshenko harbors holistic knowledge of all the issues troubling the
Ukrainian state today – International relations, Economic stagnation and
boosting investor confidence. For the common man in the Euromaidan protests of
November 2013 – February 2014, witnessing Mr.Poroshenko actively declaring his
support for the revolution and providing monetary reinforcements for the
protesters, was a turning point. It was this surge in popularity that the
‘Chocolate King’ capitalized on during his Presidential campaign earlier this
year.
 |
| The Chocolate King will blend a new flavor for Ukraine |
Mr. Poroshenko’s election slogan, “Live a new way”, has gone
far in instilling hope in the hearts of Ukrainians craving for change in the
direction their country is headed. But mere words will not suffice. He has a
mountain to climb and while on his way to the summit, he has to tread lightly.
Mr. Poroshenko has four glaring problems to deal with. Firstly, he will have to
bring the internal conflict between the Pro-Russian and Pro-EU factions to an
end. Addressing both sets of concerns and finding a common ground where
co-existence seems a possibility, will have to be achieved. Secondly, the
Russian army knocking on the borders needs to be kept away. Mr. Poroshenko will
have to portray a firmer stance against a potential Russian invasion. Mr. Putin
needs to know he cannot walk into Ukrainian territory with ease, as was the
case under the interim rule of Oleksandr Turchynov. Thirdly, He has to make
sure Russia and the West do not turn his country into a battleground to settle
personal vendettas. Russia wants to gain control of Ukraine in order to
establish an Asian power bloc to rival that of the EU. This would enable Mr.
Putin to call the shots and not let the White House determine global
proceedings. Lastly, Mr. Poroshenko needs to find a sweet spot between
sentiment and sense. While the dominant national sentiment is inclined towards Russia,
the country’s economic future looks more secure with the EU. These options seem
to be mutually exclusive as Mr. Putin and Brussels do not seem to want to
budge.
Mr. Poroshenko has an amazing opportunity at hand. His every
action will reverberate at a global scale. If he plays his cards right, he can
not only save Ukraine but also open up new opportunities for co-operation
between the West and Russia. He will have to shed his Oligarchic political past
and venture into the Presidency with an open mind. Ukraine is the key to global
stability as well instability.
follow me on twitter @vidurkalive
follow me on twitter @vidurkalive
