work force. The Ukraine already had an unemployment rate of 7% (McLelland 24), and this was straining the limited social safety nets. The last thing the Ukraine was prepared to do was pay out more to it's people without getting anything in return. The Ukrainians were yearning for a future free of any Russian grip. The Russians, on the other hand, were still deeply in favour of upholding their Tsarist ancestors conquestial territorial gains. Ultimatums were sent back and forth between Moscow and the Ukraine. Neither side was willing to budge. Finally Russia backed down, and control was left to the Ukraine. Nevertheless, during that period of stalemate, Russo-Ukrainian relations, diplomatic and more importantly economic, suffered a great lose. Slander and many outcries of corruption had been directed at many of the policy makers in both countries. Trade between the two nations has also dropped to an all time low. Out of Russia's total exports, only a meager 1.7% gets shipped to the Ukraine (Dart, 117). In these harsh times of economic transition in the region, one would expect that the two countries would be more willing to co-operate for the goal of greater good. The Russian republic has also seen it's fair share of strife; internally. Harsh economic times, and less than admirable results from the transition to the market oriented economy have paved the way for much political opposition. Communists, the former leaders of the Soviet Union, were one of the first political movements to wage war against the newly formed liberal government. Traditionally, communist ideology preached that "no citizen will be in any greater position of status or econ...
