Russian Defense Minister Confirms Interest in Cooperation

On January 18 Marshal Igor Sergeyev, Russian Minister of Defense, arrived in Kyiv on an official visit. Received by President Leonid Kuchma, Marshal Sergeyev reiterated his interest in intensifying mutually- advantageous Ukrainian-Russian cooperation in the military-and-industrial sphere, noting that the two countries’ defense ministries maintain a fruitful relationship. President Kuchma expressed confidence that this visit would provide an opportunity to discuss more in detail both bilateral military and technical cooperation and the possibility of the two countries jointly entering the world market for military hardware. During the meeting, positive prospects for joint Ukrainian- Russian participation in high-profile international projects, including those in aircraft production and the need to revive joint aerospace design, were noted. General of the Army Oleksandr Kuzmuk, Ukrainian Minister of Defense, reported that Ukraine and Russia had begun to form joint military-navigation units. Those taking part also discussed the possibility of a rapprochement in the two countries’ positions on security and relations with the European Union, as well as the situation in Transnistria.

It was stated at the closing press conference that the parties had exchanged experience in reform of the armed forces where time limits and directions fully coincide and programs and dates fixed for the development of defense technology and equipment of both countries. Also, cooperation in the Partnership for Peace program within the CIS, and other issues were discussed. “On most issues our views coincide,” said Oleksandr Kuzmuk.

Igor Sergeyev named the existing relations a major step forward, highly praised the reform in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and noted that the talks on the whole ended on an optimistic note. The ministers decided to establish a command post to regulate raids along with a joint search and rescue unit which will include ships and planes of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and Ukrainian Navy. The Russian minister also promised that Russia will pay its debt to Ukraine for deploying the Black Sea Fleet and use of radar stations.

The chief military men of the two countries registered differences only on one issue, the eastward expansion of NATO. If Igor Sergeyev confirmed Russia’s negative attitude, his Ukrainian colleague noted that this issue lies within the plane of sovereignty of each individual country.