'Ukraine' - tagged features

Ukrainians went to the polls last weekend, to finally settle months of deadlock between pro-Western and pro-Russian parties. Election results so far show big gains for the Orange coalition parties of Yulia Tymoshenko and Victor Yushchenko. Here's the Briefing from Brussels with a full round up of EU news. 

Ukrainians head back to the polls on September 30 for fresh parliamentary elections that aim to end months of political deadlock and confusion. Many Ukrainians hoped that the Orange Revolution of 2004 would lead to political reform and stability. But those high expectations have waned. In the ensuing three years the leaders of the Orange Revolution, who were advocating democracy and closer ties with the west have fallen out with each other. And Ukraine's parliament has witnessed punch ups, power cuts and party swapping not to mention allegations of bribes and corruption. So what do Ukrainians think about their lawmakers and the Orange Revolution three years on? Deutsche Welle’s Guy Degen has been gauging the mood. 

In Poland, sports fans and politicians are still celebrating what will surely prove to be a major sporting event and showcase for the country. Poland and Ukraine beat Italy and joint bidders Hungary and Croatia in the race to host the European Football Championships in 2012. Michal Kubicki reports for Polish Radio. 

Ukraine celebrates 15 years of independence this month. But although the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, many consider the Orange Revolution in 2004 as the real break with its Soviet heritage. This wild lady supported the revolutionists with her music. Prior to the Orange Revolution she won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004. What is her name? You can email us your answer. The address is contact@networkeurope.org. 

The German-Russian deal struck last autumn to build a pipeline under the Baltic Sea continues to raise concerns in the Baltic States, Poland and Ukraine. The leaders of these countries said they felt uneasy about what they thought was a deal made behind their back on an issue as vital as energy. Radio Polonia reports from Estonia. 

The elections in Belarus and Ukraine this past spring were disappointing for the European Union. In Ukraine, a pro-Russian party, sidelined during the Orange revolution of 2004, romped back into domestic politics. In Belarus, the democratic opposition failed to unseat the ruthless autocratic regime of Alexander Lukashenko. Did the EU really use all its weight to influence the outcome of those elections? Or do the results in both Ukraine and Belarus demonstrate how limited the influence of the European Union is on its eastern neighbours. Deutsche Welle reports. 

Since its Orange Revolution two years ago, Ukraine has declared it's desire to join the European Union. "The EU must be open to those who have clearly chosen their future and are prepared to share the continent of Europe", Ukrainian president Viktor Yuschenko said recently. More on Ukraine's aspirations from Radio Ukraine International.