Three TV channels (5 channel, TVi, TRK “Chornomorska”) ceased to broadcast for 1 hour (19:00-20:00 Kyiv time) in defense of freedom of speech. It was warning strike, if the government continues to violate freedom of speech, they’ll continue strike.

Public movement “Stop Censorship!” is ready to call on a nationwide journalists strike.

Recently I have found interesting statistic information concerning Ukraine.
In English

July 14, 2010, Kyiv hosted an international conference of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), where was announced the need for large-scale propagation of CSTO among the Ukrainians for “brain washing”.
In the pro-Russian government that was established in Ukraine after the victory of Yanukovych in the presidential elections last winter, most politicians want the further cooperation with Russia, to reach an economic, political and military integration.
So, what about the economic integration it’s already too late for openly pro-Russian politicians as the President of Ukraine Mr. Yanukovych is, because Ukraine is part of the World Trade Organization ( WTO) since 2008. And as Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are not parts of this international organization, Ukraine can not join the Russian project of customs union. It’s a good news for Ukraine. We must say thank you to Yushchenko that Ukraine joined the WTO and he has saved our economic independence.
Concerning the political integration, Ukraine is not a part of the European Union (EU) nor the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). As the EU shows no political will on the Ukrainian question about possible Ukraine joining the EU, gives every opportunity to Russia for maneuvering to put Ukraine in its sphere of interest (CIS and other projects). Rejecting Ukraine, the EU can have a volatile area near its eastern borders. Otherwise, the EU could show its true face to the people of the EU on double standards concerning a European country as Ukraine. Like this, it will reduce the image of the EU in the eyes of people around the world as an organization/country struggling for democracy and freedoms of people.
Regarding military integration, Ukraine is still a neutral country, but that may change. In 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest, Romania, under pressure from Russia, France and Germany, NATO has rejected the application of Ukraine to grant the Membership Action Plan (MAP). So, the population of Ukraine is frustrated, the people of Ukraine were expecting the backing of the expected the granting of MAP, but NATO member-countries refused it. After the complete failure feels forgotten by the West and does not believe in the values announced by the EU. What it gives to the EU and NATO? Above all, NATO risks to lose Ukraine as an active partner (Ukraine takes part in all operations of the NATO from “Active Endeavour” to Afghanistan). Because it is not in the interest of Ukraine to cooperate so deep with NATO without membership. So, the new pro-Russian president of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych pushes Ukraine into the hands of Russia. That is to say, he and his team will promote the CSTO and therefore, as the military bloc is opposed to NATO and the West, in my opinion it is a bad sign/message for European and American politicians. Otherwise, in the future Ukraine may join the CSTO and become a rival to NATO.
Instead of conclusion. The EU and the U.S. must put themselves a question “do they want Ukraine as a stable and predictable partner or they want to have a zone of instability and Ukraine who plays like Russia?”.

This week the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Ukraine. She met President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, as well as the Ukrainian opposition.
Generally she did not criticize Ukrainian authorities. Although she said that the United States will continue to observe the level of press freedom in Ukraine. On the issue of Ukraine’s refusal to join NATO, she said that she respects the sovereign right of Ukraine in the choice of allies, but stressed that NATO’s door is open.
So, I have a question. Why are that door being open, didn’t let Ukraine to enter when the Ukrainian government had the political will? And besides, what does the visit of H. Clinton mean? Have someone have any ideas?

Kyiv district administrative court deprived frequencies for broadcast from “Channel 5” and “TVi”.
The general producer of “TVi” channel Serhiy Demyanchuk accuses the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Valeriy Khoroshkovsky in using his official position to gain his business interests. Valeriy Khoroshkovsky uses his position not only to protect his own business, what is generally unacceptable in a democratic society, but to oppress other media, including “TVi” and “Channel 5”. This situation threatens freedom of speech in Ukraine.
I urge all international organizations and leaders of the EU countries and the United States of America to condemn such actions. I want to draw attention to the actions of government putting pressure on freedom of speech in Ukraine. It is unacceptable in the European country. Especially I ask organization “Reporters without borders” to react!