Yanukovych pushing for outspoken Teishera to leave Ukraine before elections

Some Ukrainian officials succumbed to their nerves, probably in the foreign ministry and even higher, Horbach said.

The Ukrainian regime is eager to get rid of Teishera as soon as possible but definitely ahead of the election campaign and the analysis of its results, the expert stressed.

Although Teishera’s tenure in Ukraine expires in July, the EU might prolong it in the face of the foray by Ukraine on the EU diplomatic turf, he said.

However, the conflict is unlikely to follow the Belarus pattern. Its escalation and, moreover, the expulsion of diplomats is not in the interests of the EU, less so of Ukraine, the expert said.

The Teishera incident will also not impact the signing of the political and trade agreement between EU and Ukraine as nothing of the kind will happen prior to the parliamentary elections. The decision to sign or not sign will be taken by the EU following the results of the elections in Ukraine, Horbach noted.

Recall that the EU diplomat stated that Pres Yanukovych failed to deliver on his campaign promises to improve the business climate and curb corruption.

Ukraine FM statement said Teishera’s comments ran counter to what a diplomat could afford.

In response, the EU said the accusations against Teishera’s integrity and professionalism were groundless.

In the assessment of Razumkov Center expert Valery Chaly, such a reaction by Ukraine FM to Manuel Teishera’s just criticism won’t improve Yanukovych’s chances of the European integration and bridging the present gap with Europe.