Political analysts: Zurabov will present credentials to new Ukrainian president

Kyiv, January 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian political scientists have forecast that Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov will present his credentials to the new Ukrainian president.

"I don't think that he will pass his credentials to [incumbent Ukrainian President Viktor] Yuschenko. I think he'll pass them to the new president," President of the Open Policy Analytical center Ihor Zhdanov said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

Professor of Political Science and Director of the Political Analysis School of the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy Oleksiy Haran, in turn, said that "nothing terrible will happen if Zurabov waits [for the new Ukrainian president to be elected]."

Zurabov is expected to arrive in Ukraine in the near future.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Zurabov would present his credentials in line with diplomatic protocol. However, he declined to name the Ukrainian leader who will receive credentials from Zurabov.

The Kommersant newspaper reported on Friday that "new Russian Ambassador Mikhail Zurabov's arrival in Ukraine threatens to stir up a new diplomatic scandal." The newspaper said that the administration of Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko is planning to propose that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry refrain from receiving credentials from Zurabov, as the credentials, according to the administration, do not contain the name of the Ukrainian president who should receive them.