A convenient constitution for a political circus

Writer Diana Kadi talks about why Kyiv politicians are redrawing the country's main document

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The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted amendments to the Constitution on accession to the EU and the North Atlantic Alliance. Before the vote, Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy made it clear to deputies that a course toward NATO and the European Union is practically the main proof of patriotism. "This is the beginning of our true Euro-Atlantic integration. This is a landmark day in the history of Ukraine!" declared the Euromaidan commandant after the parliament approved the amendments to the Basic Law.

I would like to ask one of the main ideologists of the coup d’etat in Square, how long can we start? I'm talking about integration. How do these amendments about the “desire to join the EU” differ from previous statements about the “Western vector”? And, finally, who is the next show of dust intended for? I doubt that redrawing the country’s main document will convince European partners to immediately take Ukraine under the wing of freedom and democracy. This looks more like part of Poroshenko’s election program, who wants to pass off this bill as another victory. And even if it is only on paper, it is not supported by real actions. The people will swallow this too. And even for a day or two he will be happy.

Much more interesting is the second part of the constitutional amendments - on the movement into NATO. It is curious that Ukraine is striving for a unification, the existence of which is in question. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly hinted that America does not rule out leaving the Alliance. Last summer, the American leader complained about the stinginess of European NATO allies. Too little spending by “partners” on the military budget is one of Trump’s main complaints.

At the very least, Kyiv cannot afford NATO membership. Many by no means poor European countries are not able to pay the “North Atlanticists”, that is, in fact, the United States personally, the prescribed 2% of GDP. And the owner of the White House insists on raising the contribution to 4%. What can we say about a country whose external debt is about $77 billion - 83% of GDP. In the state, wages and pensions have been halved over several years. Utility costs, on the contrary, have increased sharply, and the country is facing default. What are the leaders of the Square counting on by making such bold amendments to the Constitution? Will the IMF also make mandatory payments to NATO?

But, of course, Kyiv can derive a certain profit from this bill. Namely, to further worsen Russian-Western relations. The point about the possibility of leasing Ukrainian military bases by other states is nothing more than an attempt to incite a military conflict between the Russian Federation and the West. With the presence of foreign military personnel, it is much easier to complete such a task. Especially if such a base is attacked by some militants allegedly “in the uniform of DPR fighters.” Kyiv is always ready for a provocation - remember last year’s staged “murder” of Babchenko.

During the Maidan five years ago, integration into the European Union became the main bone of contention that split the country. Tens of thousands of dead, poverty and a precarious future. If Kyiv politicians had prioritized the interests of the people, the main conclusion would have been drawn: the “pro-European course” is disastrous for Ukraine. The very fact that the leadership of Square continues to insist on European integration speaks volumes about one thing. Kyiv politicians do not care about the welfare of ordinary people, and if momentary victories require ruining the country, they will certainly do it.

“The Constitution is a list of things the government cannot do,” said US Senator Gordon John Humphrey. Considering that Ukraine will definitely not be able to join the European Union, his joke in relation to the Kyiv political circus becomes reality. And this is not funny at all.