Doesn't Vladimir Putin like candy? ������ ���� �� ������ �������? CLICK TO PLAY VIDEO Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, and Head of the Russian President's Administration Dmitro Medvedev � the latter two about to bite down on their candy, and the former two smiling at the eating of candy on the reviewing stand at a military parade. Originally published by Channel 5 at www.5tv.com.ua/video/143/35

Unfortunately for Slavic unity, Ukrainians will not soon be able to forget that the Kremlin attempted to impose compromat-controlled gangster Viktor Yanukovych to rule them, and their memory will be kept alive by the many graphic reminders which modern technology has left behind, as for example the video of your sharing the reviewing stand with Viktor Yanukovych in Kyiv on 28-Oct-2004, three days before the Ukrainian presidential election of 31-Oct-2004.

Particularly indelible for some may be the image of Viktor Yanukovych offering you candy, and you refusing.  Some may speculate that even if you do not eat candy, you would not under similar circumstances have snubbed George Bush or Tony Blair or Gerhard Schroeder or Jacques Chirac.  Perhaps there was in your rejection of Yanukovych candy a hint of disregard, which if you had acted upon by quitting the reviewing stand right then would have benefitted both Ukraine and Russia and would have endeared you to the Ukrainian people.

Instead, the video of you on the reviewing stand with earring-tearing and candy-chewing Viktor Yanukovych goes down in history as your steadfastly supporting his political aspirations, even while signalling personal disrespect.

What your supporters may come to spin as your Ukrainian peccadillo of 2004, the Ukrainian people will remember as your having attempted to snap shackles around their ankles, and their having had to kick you away.




Lubomyr Prytulak