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Ukraine gives red light to NATO?
Published: 17 March, 2010, 14:52
Edited: 08 April, 2010, 16:23
TAGS: Military, NATO, Ukraine, Politics, Prime Time Russia
Ukraine is not going to be a member of any other countries’ military-political alliance, according to the country’s ruling coalition.
Its non-allied status will be legally established, governmental newspaper “Golos Ukrainy” published on Tuesday.
In addition, a parliamentary majority agreed to “form an agenda in bilateral relations with the Russian Federation, based on strategic partnership, friendship and good neighborly relations, and mutually proficient trade-economic cooperation.”
However, the intention “to continue constructive cooperation with NATO on all issues of mutual interest” is also expressed in the paper.
This move comes in sharp contrast with the policy of the previous Ukrainian government under Viktor Yushchenko, who had sought membership in NATO since he became president after the Orange Revolution in 2004. As such, this is a complete U-turn on the precious policy.
The government’s statement, however, does not mention the European Union which Ukraine under Yushchenko had also sought to join.
Historically, Russia had always opposed the plans of Ukraine becoming a member state of NATO. Thus the recently published military doctrine lists NATO’s possible Eastern expansion as Russia’s greatest external threat.
Such a move caused outrage within the country. The opposition of Yanukovich’s government said that, in return, they are going to work together against Yanukovich and his supporters in parliament.
Independent political analyst Vladimir Kozin believes that this will not spoil Ukrainian relations with the Alliance.
“For any objective and rationally-minded nation like the United States, it will be a normal step in the right direction,” Kozin told RT. “A normal step by the nation who enjoys sovereignty and independence. Ukraine, by the way, is not going to sever its ties with the NATO alliance completely. It said that in the future they will have a close relationship with NATO on a number of matters of mutual interests.”
“For Eastern Europe – yes, it is a good example, why not follow?” added Kozin. “Why expand an Alliance [made up of] 28 nations, having 80% of the world military expenditures exceeding $1 trillion per year, and which is going to expand a ballistic missile defense shield elsewhere, globally, including Eastern and Southern Europe?”
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Perfect absolutely perfect Ukraine will not be joining NATO, finally at long last a country that has decided to turn it's back to NATO this is great news for Ukrainian and Russian relations now finally real stability can now officially thrive in the Post-Soviet space creating mutual benefits between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine is now moving speedily along with it's all new direction on unbiased and non-military alliances because Ukraine simply wishes to restart all over again and such as Restart it's economy,it's foreign relation's,and it's debt deficit among other ailments that Ukraine has had for too long due to the previous stagnating politics. But now Ukraine want's to get it's own house in order before they can start negotiating international treaties and other major geopolitical stances. This is a great move by Ukraine to say NO! to NATO because this would seriously hurt Ukraine to join NATO as this is the last thing on their minds to join a political group, I personally do believe that Ukraine will become more prosperous without joining NATO and pretty much dust NATO under the rug for good. So finally Ukraine has joined a considerably small group of countries that has stood up to NATO aggression and said NO! this takes an awful lot of guts and determination to do this but Ukraine will inevitably get greater benefits on no doing so, so good luck Ukraine show the world that NOT! joining NATO is probably the best thing that any country can ever do.
This is good news for the stability in the area. Good relations between Ukraine and Russia is important for security and provision of safe and stable passage of Gas to Europe.