38
become overly concerned about Russian declarations about the Crimea or the legality of the
dissolution of the Soviet Union.
141
Whereas Ukrainian nationalists largely viewed the political conflict between the Crimea and
Kiev as a Moscow-driven plot to destabilize Ukraine, the Kuchma administration repeatedly
downplayed Russian pressure. President Kuchma understood that the Crimea and the Black Sea
Fleet were highly charged domestic political issues in Russia, but he insisted Ukraine would not
assume a nationalistic response.
142
The Government and President of Ukraine differentiate between the events in
the Russian Duma, reports of certain Russian news media and real policy being
conducted by the Russian administration…We know that Russian leaders, like
Victor Chernomyrdin and Oleg Soskovets, are for the development of normal
Ukrainian-Russian relations. We also understand that the Russian administration
is under pressure.
143
Deeper economic ties between Ukraine and Russia may assist the neutralization
of political tension…but we distinguish between Russia’s official reaction and
the reaction of some of its politicians.
144
Despite the harsh rhetoric during the Russian presidential campaign in 1996, Kuchma remained
committed to resolving the issue.
After the presidential elections in Russia we have the task of achieving definitive,
normal relations, moving toward a permanent course of a good-neighbor
partnership, which has a strategic dimension and is dictated by our historical,
geographical, cultural and other factors.
145
Kuchma also argued that the Russian President’s health problems prevented him from attending
to Russian-Ukrainian relations.
146
He insisted that Yeltsin’s absence from his daily political
duties allowed opponents the chance to aggravate relations with Ukraine. He reasoned that once
Yeltsin was informed of Ukrainian proposals, the issue would be resolved.
147
A prominent
member of the Rada’s Defense and National Security Committee also accused those around
Yeltsin of trying to delay the resolution of the problem.
148
Convention