Yet another translation, original of which can be found here...

Former president [of Ukraine] (1994-2005) Leonid Kuchma considers acting president's Victor Yushenko's main mistake to be a sharp change in foreign policy course during the time of his incumbency. (1) He claimed so in an interview given to the radio Ekho Moskvy.

'The main mistake - sharp change of foreign policy course...The second - internal [policy]. Instead of uniting the country (2), [instead of] asking everyone for forgiveness for the filth that was spilled during pre-election campaign, to come in the first place to the East where most of the Gross Domestic Product is made (with an address): 'Look guys, I'm sorry, let us live by our laws, and work on common goals.' This did not happen.' -said Kuchma.

He [Kuchma] is convinced that Ukraine does not have a future without close ties with Russia. 'Ukraine does not have a future without the most closest cooperation with Russia. I am absolutely convinced by this and I always spoke about it. We need to have closest ties with Europe. Yes Europe - it is democratic values and so on (3), we can name a lot of things. Yes in Europe there are investments, in Europe there are high technologies. We certainly need to cooperate with them.' - the ex-president mentioned. (4)

He also said that he does not support the obligatory withdrawal of Russian Black Sea Fleet after 2017. 'I don't support such a position and understand well that Russia has nowhere to go...Building bases in Novorosiysk, the bays there are not well adjusted for a fleet. (I consider it inevitable) in our mutual interests to construct an extension of the sojourn of the Russian fleet' -Kuchma said.

He also said that is not planning a return to high politics.

1) каденции I sense I made a mistake here.

2) This reminds me of Misha the tiemuncher's recent ranting.

3) I would not be so sure about that.

4) Having very close ties with Russia and Europe is difficult task requiring agile diplomatic manoeuvring, I am not sure anyone in Ukraine's top political circles is up to the challenge.