(2014-0851-F) President of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk

The materials in FOIA 2014-0851-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. This Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was for all correspondence between President William J. Clinton and Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk from 1993 and 1994. Records to be opened include one letter introducing William Case of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, one letter regarding Kravchuk’s visit to the United States in March 1994, and one letter from Kravchuk following the end of his presidency. The remaining collection consists of transmittal memos, document receipts, tracking sheets and other administrative paperwork. As this collection deals largely with issues of foreign policy and national security a significant portion of the records are closed for reasons of national security. Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk graduated from college and began his career as a professor of economics at Chernivtsi State University in 1958. It was here that he was here that he joined the Communist Party of Ukraine. Soon after joining the party he was named head of agitation and propaganda of the Chernivtsi unit. Kravchuk slowly moved up the ranks of the Communist Party of Ukraine holding various regional and divisional positions. In 1989, he became a member of the Politburo and in 1991, was elected Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. In August 1991, Kravchuk withdrew from the Communist Party and on August 24, 1991 he announced, following parliamentary action, that Ukraine was now independent of the Soviet Union. Following elections in December 1991, Kravchuk became the first President of a newly independent Ukraine. He served in this role from December 5, 1991 to July 19, 1994. Elections were held June 26, 1994 and July 10, 1994. Kravchuk lost to Prime Minister Leonid Kuchma. During his presidency Kravchuk oversaw a tumultuous transition to an independent state. The state was in poor economic condition. Rampant corruption, entrenched socialist behavior and beliefs, and lack of capital stalled financial reform, privatization, and civil rights reforms. Kravchuk was however successful in signing a denuclearization agreement with Russia and the United States. He was also successful in obtaining a number of large loans and debt agreements to keep the country economically sound. Following his term in office Kravchuk continued in politics as a leader of the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine. Kravchuk, who was born January 10, 1934, still lives in Kiev and regularly comments on the state of politics in Ukraine.