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Ukraine leader makes NATO bid on Independence Day
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-24 22:28 "Ukraine condemns any attempts to undermine the current world order and its democratic values. We condemn acts of forceful intervention and aggression," he said. Moscow is angry over Ukraine's, as well as Georgia's, NATO ambitions, seeing the encroachment of the alliance on its borders as a military threat. Medvedev reminded Ukraine of the strong links between the two countries which reach back a thousand years. "Our countries are linked by years of spiritual, cultural and historical ties. I believe the main task now is not to allow this precious asset, which we inherited from past generations, to be wasted," he said in a statement. "We need to preserve it and build it up." In April NATO states refused to give Ukraine and Georgia a Membership Action Plan -- the first step towards membership -- but said the two countries would one day join the alliance. NATO countries will revisit the issue in December. Analysts say that Georgia's attempt to retake South Ossetia by force, which prompted Russia's incursion into Georgia, might have harmed Tbilisi's chances of joining the alliance soon. Ukraine backed Georgia in the conflict and was angered when Russia used ships moored in Ukraine Black Sea to land troops in Georgia. Kiev leases the port of Sevastopol to Moscow. Yushchenko tightened the rules of movement for the fleet, stationed in the pro-Russian Crimean region, and for several days there were concerns that there would be a standoff between the two countries as the ships came back. The first boat returned, without incident and to cheering crowds, on Friday. Thousands of pro-Russian supporters welcomed the Moskva flag ship on Saturday. |
