Ukraine Wants To Be Associated With European Security
Anatoly Zlenko’s visit to Brussels for a NATO-Ukraine Committee session can be considered a Western debut of him as minister of foreign affairs. The debut seems to be successful: both Mr. Zlenko and members of the Ukrainian delegation said that the atmosphere of the ministerial meeting was warm, many words of support were spoken, and practically nothing was said about Ukraine’s domestic situation. The new minister was expected to put new accents. These hopes were not thwarted: speaking to NATO ministers, Mr. Zlenko stated that Ukraine favors the deepening of relations with the Alliance — but to the extent that this meets the interests of Ukraine and those of European security. In any case, European security became the main subject of the NATO member states’ ministerial meeting and the NATO-EU meeting which took place December 15. During his visit, Mr. Zlenko discussed Ukraine’s likely participation in the European Defense Initiative with the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, which seemed to be the first step toward mutual understanding.
“Ukraine is a European state and it has something to discuss with the West in this respect,” commented on this occasion Roman Shpek, representative of Ukraine to the EU. A more detailed talk on this subject will take place during Mr. Solana’s visit to Kyiv (on January 11-12, according to Mr. Shpek). Mr. Zlenko told the press he had not yet raised the question of Ukraine’s possible participation in the Eurocorps, of which Minister of Defense Oleksandr Kuzmuk spoke a few days before, but “it will be done, of course.” He is sure Ukraine will find a proper place — within the context of peacekeeping operations — in the rapid reaction force now being formed. On his part, Mr. Solana is aware that Ukraine can be part of the European security and defense policy, Mr. Zlenko said after the talks. Mr. Solana also expressed interest in a meaningful dialogue with Ukraine.
However, NATO and the EU should first explain what they mean by the European Defense Initiative. According to NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson this can be a self-contained element which does not rival NATO, does not carry out any planning of its own: it only complements and uses the capacities of the alliance. It can even exist under a common umbrella with NATO, which does not seem to arouse great enthusiasm in Paris. But Kyiv is convinced that sooner or later, as the EU becomes economically competitive with the US, this will aggravate the problem of the EU’s reduced dependence on Washington.
Mr. Zlenko thus characterized the new accents in Ukraine-NATO relations: “We are maintaining a certain lead in concretizing the actions we must participate in.” But not in the political terms. He refused to comment on the still to be approved Ukraine-NATO cooperation program but said this cooperation will now be more pragmatic. Incidentally, Mr. Zlenko reiterated after meeting Lord Robertson that Ukraine’s relations with NATO do not run counter to its relations with the neighboring countries. As to Ukraine’s possible admission to NATO, Mr. Zlenko said jocularly that Lord Robertson would not admit him and that Ukraine is not prepared to put the question in this way. As to Kyiv’s attitude toward NATO operations similar to last year’s air raids against Yugoslavia, Mr. Zlenko thinks everything depends on the circumstances. In addition, he believes such operations should be approved by the UN Security Council.
Mr. Zlenko said NATO had given some recommendations to Ukraine, including the necessity of establishing civilian control over the armed forces, deepening its military reform, and maintaining the achieved level of involvement in peacekeeping operations.
Incidentally, Lord Robertson promised that NATO would find a way to help Ukraine’s natural disaster stricken regions.
Mr. Zlenko characterized his visit to Brussels as kind of a recognition test — for himself and Ukraine as a whole. With due account of Ukraine’s domestic problems, the test can be regarded as passed successfully.
However, Western benevolence, so much displayed on the eve of and during the Chornobyl NPP closure, might will have to be verified by the results of all Ukrainian reforms — not only the military reform on which NATO so much insists nowadays.
