I have not read any full and frank comment after yesterday’s European Union-Ukraine summit. The finalisation of negotiations is not a success because in fact it had already taken place before. The association agreement could have been initialled, but it was not. In addition, the European side at the highest level referred to the situation in the Ukrainian judicial system, perceiving the case of Yulia Tymoshenko as the most striking example.

As a key element of further cooperation, the EU calls for a comprehensive justice reform in line with international standards. It also addresses the issue of media freedom and points out the Ukrainian shortcomings in this area. And then it gets even more interesting. “The parliamentary elections to be hold next year will be a litmus test” of the quality of Ukrainian democracy.

Translating quotes from Herman Van Rompuy into practice – until the elections in Ukraine the situation will be frozen. If they are held at the acceptance of international observers, there is a chance to return to the association agreement. If not…