Is Ukraine’s NATO policy dead?
Published: 29 April, 2009, 01:45
Anti-NATO protests in Kiev (AFP Photo/ Sergei Supinsky)
The Ukrainian government is no longer interested in joining NATO, according to a leading expert on the country’s foreign policy.
Anatoly Oryol, director-general at Ukraine’s Centre for International and Comparative Studies, believes the authorities in Kiev have stopped conducting a pro-NATO policy.
He presented his views on Tuesday at the conference on European security, arranged by socialist parties at the European Parliament, the UNIAN agency reports.
“I think I wouldn’t be wrong if I solemnly proclaim the death of Ukraine’s policy aimed at its NATO membership, no matter what my country’s officials would possibly be saying about the issue,” he said.
Oryol also pointed out that, according to the latest opinion polls, only 13% of Ukraine’s population support joining NATO. He also said Kiev’s decision not to take part in NATO-led games in Georgia, scheduled for May 2009, supported his claims. Moscow has already condemned the planned military exercises.
“As recently as two months ago such a turn in the policy was unimaginable,” Oryol said.
28.04.2009, 22:13
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NATO's anti-Russian policy in Ukraine or elsewhere will never end. However, what would be good, is for Ukraine to resist it, and become a model nation, standing on its own feet in the world, with a clear identity and its own relationships with other world nations. Ukraine is not a Baltic puppy, needing constant attention from a mother. Ukraine, neither needs NATO or the EUSSR telling it what to do. It has a capable people, who are more than capable of governing their own destiny. They are, however, hampered at present, by the fact the some native Ukrainians are selling out Ukraine, for Euro and Dollar direct payments from US,NATO and EUSSR. These will be granted a nice housing retreat in the west, leaving the ordinary Ukrainian in a mess.