Thanks for that news, Stephen.

I was in Kiev this past April. In the article, the author mentions that one candidate, Yanukovich, favors closer ties with Russia. Actually, this seems to be the typical reflex. Russia and Ukraine have a very long history ... Kiev is called the "mother of Russian cities", for example. I don't think that we as Americans should be alarmed by this impulse (after all, Russia really wants closer ties to the West as well). But the continued, well known and wide-spread corruption is a tragedy for all Ukrainian citizens.

Curtis Smith

Maybe we can deport Jimmy Carter and declare him a Canadian citizen (I hear they have fairly lax immigration laws, maybe they wouldn't mind other countries handing out Canadian citizenship?). Then they can send him to observe the installation of the next dictator.

Or is Ukraine our friend?

As a token Canadian here, I have to say that I agree, Canada could help, and for the reasons Martini Man suggested. I've just phoned my MP's riding office here to put forth the suggestion.

However, don't expect anything from the current government. The current Liberal (minority) government are so busy trying to sweep the corruption of the previous Liberal government of Chretien under the carpet, as well as frantically trying to get their own corruption into working order, they don't have time to help others with their corruption.

BTW, my MP is in the Conservative party.

Stephen,

Nice piece. I'm actually a 3rd generation Ukrainian who grandparents immigrated to Canada (my mom's first generation American--smart lady!). The Ukrainian population in Canada is extremely large and even though most don't have many direct ties anymore, they all share a certain affinity for their "homeland." I think this would be a good move for a Canadian gov't that could painlessly and easily restore some of its prestige in the world a small, but significant gesture.

Not to kiss ass, but its rare to find anyone posting about Ukrainian immigrants in an informed way. Great post!

I think we like the Ukraine, so we'd better not send Carter, Other John Hawkins. Unless we don't like them, in which case, let's send him!

As the other Canadian that reads this blog I have to point out 1 inaccuracy. We actually have the resources to fund our military and foreign aid. Our (approx.) $8billion federal surplus would be like the US gov't having $100Billion sitting around waiting for a pet project. Oh well, we're too busy spending it on liberal vote buying schemes and expanding our socialist health care system!
Cheers!

P.S. CERDIP - I'll pass the suggestion on to my Conservative MP as well.

Wayull, the Canadians do actually run the NATO base in Kabul, so they are contributing something. Have to admit though, they couldn't find enough cooks in Canada which is why younger brother is over there doing that for them.

Canada has a huge Ukrainian community. I went to high school in Alberta, and on my transcripts, it lists four languages that instruction could take place in. English, French, German and Ukraine.
Incidentally, Albertans had all sorts of Ukrainian jokes. Such as "How do you sink a Ukrainian battleship? Put it in water."
Never mind that the Ukraine is land-locked.

Dear Half Canadian, Ukraine is NOT landlocked. It has a coast on the Black Sea, a large seaport city called Odessa, and a navy. When the Soviet Union broke up there was a controversy between Russia and Ukraine on how to divide up the navy.

Ok, so who gave you the Canadian socio-economic lessons? Yes it is true that there is a mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada that has more submarines than the Canadian Navy (the mall has 6, we have 4 ???). Yes it is true that we are heavily in debt, the average Canadian pays 50% of what they make to taxes and our political system is so messed up that you can become Prime Minister with only 0.5% of Canadian's votes. Yes, it is true that our public health system is so poorly managed that all of our good doctors and nurses move to the USA and you have to wait for up to six months for life saving surgery, but listen and listen good. If there is ONE THING WE DO WELL, EH!! If there is ONE THING WE DO REALLY WELL!! it is go wherever Koffi Anan (the UN) sends us and stick our self righteous nose in where it doesn't belong.
Roy