Ukraine's new leaders have stopped short of rejecting membership in a new Moscow-led economic bloc of four ex-Soviet republics, but say the plan could hurt their European Union aspirations
Published:
22 February 2005 y., Tuesday
Ukraine's new leaders have stopped short of rejecting membership in a new Moscow-led economic bloc of four ex-Soviet republics, but say the plan could hurt their European Union aspirations.
After meetings Monday with Russia's visiting foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, Ukraine's President Viktor Yuschenko and foreign minister, Boris Tarsyuk, made clear the importance of strategic relations with their giant eastern neighbor. But they also emphasized their commitment to Ukraine's becoming a full member of the EU and of NATO.
Mr. Yushchenko's predecessor, Leonid Kuchma, agreed to Ukraine's joining the new bloc, which includes Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, but Kiev's participation is now in doubt under its new pro-Western president.
Mr. Yuschenko is to meet EU leaders in Brussels this week. EU officials say they are not ready to offer Ukraine membership, but have proposed a plan to strengthen ties.
Šaltinis:
VOA News
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The apparent winner of Ukraine's presidential run-off election, Viktor Yushchenko, said Tuesday the struggle to bring democracy to the country is not over and urged his supporters to renew a government blockade
more »
The Central Election Commission announced in Kyiv that opposition candidate Viktor Yuschenko was the official winner in Ukraine's repeat presidential vote on 26 December
more »
Iran wants to develop military cooperation with neighboring Azerbaijan, Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani said after meeting his Azeri counterpart
more »
The European Union has hailed the preliminary results of the general elections in Ukraine
more »
Ukraine opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko has claimed victory in the re-run of the presidential election
more »
The European commission expects the EU's 25 member governments to agree on a significant loosening of the controversial stability and growth pact by spring to kickstart faltering economic growth and create more jobs in the eurozone
more »
The Russian-German summit consultations have resulted in important intergovernmental agreements and commercial contracts signed
more »
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled a readiness to discuss EU involvement to ease the situation in war-torn Chechnya
more »
UKRAINE'S presidential rivals launched a live nationally-televised debate in the capital Kiev today
more »
Hungary became the second country to ratify the European Union`s constitution after parliament overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to back the text
more »