Volodymyr Groysman's government marks its first year in office this Friday, 14 April. It would be logical for the prime minister to report to parliament on his team's performance that day.
Although resolute sentiments prevail in the Cabinet of Ministers, there is no clarity yet on whether the report is going to take place. MPs, including Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction leader Artur Herasymov, doubt that it will.
In the meantime, questions have piled up. And there are very many of them.
Just look at the recent sways: first they condemned the blockade [of trade with militant-held territories], then they headed it; first they back higher gas bills, then they put it on hold; the heads of the National Bank and the State Property Fund announce their resignations, members of Naftohaz Ukrayiny's supervisory board also drop a hint that they might follow suit; the conflict between the Transport Ministry and Ukrzaliznytsya (Ukrainian Railway) is not over, the issue of a long-awaited increase in freight tariffs, which is extremely disadvantageous to the market monopolist, is hanging in the air. And so on.
Formally, the Cabinet of Ministers is reporting that the situation has stabilized and that economy has been demonstrating certain growth so that pensions can be increased as soon as this autumn. However ordinary Ukrainians have not come across any "improvement". Instead they see inflation, unemployment, the stagnating health care and education sectors, and general disorder. And almost traditionally now: Ukraine is topping the world's corruption ratings. Falling even lower than where it was before the Revolution of Dignity.
I got an impression that the authorities mostly ignore the problems of citizens, living in their compact world of false achievements and neatly-hidden cash they reported in their income statements. The authorities do not report to voters, taxpayers or civil society. They are thick-skinned and indifferent – and thus irresponsible.
They no longer mind their Western partners. At least not as much as they used to.
They stopped caring because, as they say, the Old World is busy with its own problems and has no time for Ukraine whereas the USA has not developed a clear policy with regard to Eastern Europe. According to the logic of Ukrainian officials, they are given free rein.
Or is it true that we are changing the vector and joining a friendly family of Russia, Venezuela, and Iran?
They have made sure another IMF tranche is in and now they are on the loose. Until the next time at least. Until the next time they will imitate reforms and carve up what has not been carved up before, and repeat.
The authorities are building a wall. But not to fence off the aggressor. A wall between the authorities and the people is being built at pace. And it is long before elections. Very long.
Will we remain the onlookers who accept food rations being thrown to us from the other side of the wall? Or will we wake up and stop the construction to avoid storming this wall later?
It seems to me it is worth giving a thought.
Good night and good luck!