Ukrainian political analysts regard Lutsenko's release as positive 'news bomb' for EU
KYIV. April 7 (Interfax) - The pardoning and release of former Ukrainian Interior Minister Yury Lutsenko constitute an important step to signing the association agreement with the European Union, director of Penta center for political studies Volodymyr Fesenko believes.
"Lutsenko's release is very indicative. It is an important step on the road to signing the agreement with the EU. It is a demonstration of positive dynamics in resolving the problem of selective justice," he said.
Director of the Institute for Global Strategies Vadym Karasyov also expressed the opinion that the release of the former minister is an important signal for Ukraine's relations with Europe.
"From the viewpoint of Europe Lutsenko's release can be called a positive 'news bomb', especially in the context of the skepticism, disappointment with the Ukrainian government that dominated in Europe during the past few weeks. A long time ago Europe started regarding Ukraine as a reserve of autocracy and stupidity, an example of the suppression of political opposition," he said.
In Fesenko's opinion, Lutsenko's release is an important decision for the Ukrainian government in the psychological rather than the political sense. "The decision on Lutsenko indicates that signing the new agreement with the EU remains topical for Yanukovych and the incumbent authorities. Work in this respect will continue," he summed up.
Karasyov also said: "One should give credit to the Ukrainian government that it did its utmost for making Lutsenko's release an extremely important positive sensation returning Ukraine to the field of Europe's positive expectations, if not sympathies."
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