Ukraine's malaise is only exacerbated by the West's persistent attempts to pit it against Russia. Were Russia to be acknowledged as an essential part of Europe, Ukraine's identity crisis would all but disappear. The whole of Ukraine could simply be what it already is--part of both Eastern and Western Europe.

Together, Ukraine and Russia could lay claim to their common European vocation, and play a much more influential role in European affairs.

Comments prior to 2007 are available at my web site archive: www.npetro.net/4.html.