WHICH WAY WILL WE SHOOT? Neutral Ukraine wants to have rockets it never had

Previously, official Kyiv proclaimed on more than one occasion that Ukraine will comply with all international arms control treaties, including those made by the USSR, which means also the one on intermediate and short-range missiles signed by the US and the Soviet Union in December 1988. This document provides for the destruction of all US and Soviet ground-based missiles with a range of 500-5,500 km. The treaty had been completely implemented by June 1, 1991.

If Kyiv really wants missiles capable of reaching any spot on the globe, Ukraine is technically fully prepared. There are, however, certain legal nuances. To do so, Ukraine must serve notice to the US and Russia that it is quitting the medium-and-long-range-missile accord.

Does Ukraine really wish to do so? The Day contacted the Defense and Foreign Ministries. No one seemed ready to answer. Not surprising, really. And if the Chief Executive simply lost his temper, how can a subordinate correct his superior? But if the President meant what he said, this indicates cardinal changes in Ukraine's defense strategy, the consequences of which are hard to predict, considering modern geopolitical realities.

Photo by Valery Myloserdov, The Day