Batumi Energy summit more about Ukrainian elections, say analysts

The energy summit being held in Batumi has been described by some analysts as a convention in support of Ukraine’s President Yushchenko, who faces elections on January 17. He himself however has refused to travel to Batumi, wanting to dedicate more time to the last days of his campaign. Secretary of the Security Council of Ukraine Raisa Bogatirova will attend in his place.

One of Ukraine’s other Presidential candidates, Sergey Tibitko, criticised the Batumi summit, calling it a geopolitical adventure. He stressed that the major task of the new Ukrainian President should be changing the country’s foreign policy from one based on ideology to one 100% in compliance with the interests of the country. Tibitko said that securing European independence from Russia and promoting democracy in the CIS countries are not priorities for Ukraine.

Who will become the President and what he/she intend to do will be known in a few days.