Nine years after independence, mood in Kyiv is downbeat (08/20/00)

Nine years after independence, mood in Kyiv is downbeat

by Roman Woronowycz
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - Days before Ukraine celebrates nine years of independence on August 24, which will also mark the beginning of preparations for next year's jubilee 10th anniversary show - and what undoubtedly will be the largest party this country has ever thrown - there is a decidedly downbeat mood in Kyiv regarding the country's achievements, its current situation and the future.

Pessimism, apathy, discouragement, hopelessness - any of these words properly describe the general feeling in the capital and in the country. People are fed up with politicians, expectations, Communists, unemployment and, mostly, their standard of living.

Based on the responses given by a score of individuals in an unscientific poll conducted in Kyiv by The Ukrainian Weekly on August 15-16, the people of Ukraine want jobs and more jobs, stable legislative policy, a normal tax code, and national and spiritual rebirth.

The soundings were far from positive. In fact, except for a single individual who gave a thumbs-up before slipping behind the wheel of a late-model luxury sedan, nobody had a single good thing to say about life in Ukraine today.

Furthermore, few had clear ideas on what should be done in the country in the next year so that 10th anniversary commemorations become something to truly celebrate.

The prevailing attitude is indisputable: the economy needs to come alive before conditions on any level or in any sphere of life can improve. Everything else is secondary or associated with the economy.

"A lot must change - first off in the economic sphere. Everything begins with the economy. It is good that we have kept our independence, but that is not enough," said Tetiana Zelenka, 41, of Kyiv as she waited for a bus on Skovoroda Square across from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Another Kyivan, Petro Kozub, 64, also put the onus on the economy, but blamed politicians for creating the current situation. He did not have anything good to say about Ukraine's northern neighbor either.

"Those who stole their share live well today. But the average person, the farmers and workers, still suffer," said Mr. Kozub. "Nine years ago they told us that we would live like France. [We have] land, 'chornozem' [rich, black soil found throughout Ukraine]. Then they stole everything for their pockets. We must develop our economy. If Russian gas is unaffordable, we must look elsewhere. [Russia] united everything in the name of brotherhood and Christianity. Now they strangle us."

Like Mr. Kozub, nearly all the respondents were quick to criticize politicians, whom Ukrainian society views as corrupt and self-interested. One person said Ukraine must get rid of the whole lot, from the president down to the district leaders.

Then there was Mykola, who refused to give his last name. The 65-year-old embittered pensioner, who walked along Kyiv's Independence Square cloaked in a tattered sports jacket and carrying a satchel in even worse condition, said independence had destroyed society.

"What independence? Who needed it? I worked all my life. My life savings were destroyed. In my old age I have to gather bottles. I'd like to take a machine gun and go to Bankova 2 (the Presidential Administration Building)," said Mykola.

The new impetus given economic and administrative reforms by the government, which has been publicized widely in the press, is not a relevant concern for this poor pensioner. Mykola needs money for a loaf of bread and a piece of meat, and he needs it today. His pension of 26 hrv monthly (about $4.79), does not provide for the entire month.

Understandably, he has no interest in economic indicators, which show that in the first half of the year the Ukrainian economy finally may have awakened and that life may soon improve. He has heard before that life will soon improve, he explained.

Judging by their responses, the respondents put little faith or importance in the economic indicators as well. But the numbers indicate that in the first six months of this year the gross domestic product has risen at an unexpectedly strong 5 percent. The surprising and steady economic performance led Prime Minister Viktor Yuschenko to declare on August 15 that the economy will outpace earlier predictions of 2 percent GDP growth for the year. Industrial output also continues to rise. July figures rose by 4.2 percent over the previous month and by 16.1 percent over the same period last year.

Although Mr. Yuschenko has moved decisively to complete economic and administrative reforms during his nine months in office, only one person lauded his work and pointed to it as a source of optimism.

"If Yuschenko, an intelligent and good person, is given the chance to work, we will have everything. A good person is working in a position where he belongs. What Yuschenko has done for Ukraine in a half-year, no one did in nine years," said Liudmilla Druhova, 62, as she sat on a bench in Independence Square.

Perhaps people are unwilling to express satisfaction with Mr. Yuschenko's efforts because they have not felt the economic improvements - if one is to believe the statistical indicators - in a tangible way. Then again, it may be too early for the numbers to translate into more jobs and higher wages.

Official figures in Ukraine, which state that unemployment is around 6 percent, are deceptive. Joblessness continues at extremely high levels - many put it at about 40 percent. Also, people still do not receive their monthly wages. Although the government has again promised to pay out all back wages, this time by the autumn, no one is ready to begin promising wage hikes.

Kyivans have heard it all before: the rhetoric of imminent reform followed by affluence. Respondents said they have had enough of empty promises and future expectations. They said they want results now, and that jobs should be the priority.

"Ukraine needs jobs right now. I have been unemployed for two years. When a person has a job she can consider more uplifting matters," said Olha Hrazhdak, 45, of Kyiv.

Another person noted that until a middle class and a free-enterprise attitude emerges in Ukraine, the country will remain mired in its Soviet past.

Even as Kyivans admitted that an invigorated economy is a priority in their eyes, others said that something deeper and more sublime is needed. What Ms. Hrazhdak called "uplifting matters" other respondents alternately referred to as "a need for spiritual rebirth," "a deepening of consciousness," or "cultural reinvigoration."

Strolling down the historic Andriivskii Uzviz, the center of Kyiv's artist community, Elena Lemisheva, 62, of Boryspil could only decry the deteriorating state of society.

"For me this is a very hurtful subject. The nine years of independence have brought me nothing," explained Ms. Lemisheva. "It's only gotten worse. And I don't see any escape from the situation. It's all so very dark, I don't see a light anywhere. I believe that ours is a sick society. Until we understand that we need spiritual health - which we have very little of now - until we have that and understand what it is, we will have nothing."

The weariness expressed by Ms. Lemisheva was evident in statements by other respondents as well. On Sahaidachnyi Street, which cuts through the heart of the Podil district, 25-year-old Andrii Petrov had no reason to be any more optimistic.

"I don't know what to say. Nothing in this country is possible in the current situation," said Mr. Petrov.

He explained that politicians care only about protecting their own interests and have little time for the well-being of the populace.

His friend, Oleh Udolskyi, 27, said he believes the nation's leaders must find inspiration in a higher power. "Today many people are putting their faith in God," explained Mr. Udolskyi. "And so should the president and our national deputies. They have to believe in God so that things will change for the better."

Others used the word "consciousness" to describe what is lacking in Ukraine. One said it would take decades for a true Ukrainian consciousness to develop.

Oleksander Ranshukov, who sells trinkets on the Uzviz, explained it differently. He said that Ukrainians lack cultural development, that no economic or political improvements will succeed until society returns to its core cultural values.

"By culture development I mean in all aspects - individual behavior, political development, national expression - the meaning of the word in its full complexity," said Mr. Ranshukov.

His words must have echoed off the century-old buildings of the Uzviz and ricocheted up the hill to the city center. For on Independence Square, Volodymyr Zaikov, 27, gave a direct rebuttal to Mr. Ranshukov's assertion.

"What culture can one discuss when poverty rules?" Mr. Zaikov asked. "People think about surviving, not about culture." He added that a Ukrainian cultural renaissance is possible only after the economy improves.

Several people said Ukraine continues to suffer the afteraffects of 70 years of Soviet rule, which has left society uncertain and passive. Others said the remaining Communists in Ukraine are responsible for the lack of economic and political progress, and that the party must be banned before Ukraine becomes a democratic and economically viable state.

Vasyl Pechyborsch, 24, visiting from the Zakarpattia region of Ukraine, expressed the strong patriotic feelings and blunt talk associated with people from western Ukraine. He noted that, although Ukrainians have an independent state for the first time in their history, they have yet to understand that they are independent - that this is their country and they are the masters.

"Ukrainians have become accustomed to having others control them. Ukrainian independence is truly a great event, but we have yet to understood that," Mr. Pechyborshch observed.

Not everybody criticizes life in Ukraine and the current political, economic and cultural situation. Some are far less pessimistic about the future as well. There are Ukrainians who have taken advantage of the limited economic opportunities in Ukraine and have succeeded in building a good life based on risk-taking, political contacts or membership in business clans. These "Novi Ukraintsi" (new Ukrainians) make up about 5 percent of the population. Their trademarks are luxury automobiles, designer suits and heavy gold jewelry.

One such gentleman, who wished to remain anonymous, hustled across the street from the Bessarabskyi Market before entering a late-model Mercedes Benz with darkened windows. Before driving off, he gave a wink and a thumbs up sign, and said that from his vantage point life was fine. "I really cannot say that anything needs to improve. I have what I need to live. Everything will be fine."

| Home Page |