President Poroshenko Rolls The Dice

The entrance to the tent city, in the midst of the government quarter in Kyiv, where protesters have been camping out for weeks. The sign emphasizes that the occupants are not supporters of Mr. Saakashvili nor any other political entity.

With the extreme and miscalculated actions taken this past week taken by the administration of President Petro Poroshenko, it appears that Ukraine has reached a dangerous pivot point. The wins and joy of the last Maidan have been thwarted by powerful, corrupt forces, and the billionaire oligarch is showing himself to reside on the weaker side of the moral spectrum. 

Instead of showing himself to be the firebrand radical who pledged to fight for reform, Poroshenko is now seen by many as nothing more than a member of the Davos elite and as a cameo actor in the Panama and Paradise papers.
The incredibly huge well of goodwill among western allies has been depleted by bungling, greed and elite political infighting. 

Watch with care. The rhetoric of a discredited ex-Georgian president will be the match that ignites the tinder-dry emotions of ordinary Ukrainians who are sick and tired of the failed attempts to fight corruption and waiting for delayed reforms. The arrest of Saakashvili Thursday evening only serves to fan the flames of discontent. 

Indeed - it’s time for the West to get tough on President Poroshenko, the Prime Minister and others who have the ability to steer this ship back on course. They must realize that time is not on their side and that many young Ukrainians are voting with their feet, by leaving.