#6570 #6571
#15 - JRL 6569
BBC Monitoring
Ukraine should choose both Europe and Russia -
reformist leader
Source: UNIAN news agency, Kiev, in Ukrainian 1114 gmt 23 Nov 02
Warsaw, 23 November: It is time for Ukraine to change the postulate which has been basic for many years: "either we go to Russia or to Europe". Ukraine has to choose the following formula: "both Russia and Europe". The leader of the Our Ukraine bloc, Viktor Yushchenko, said this addressing "The European direction of Ukraine" conference in Warsaw today.
"We need comfortable and loyal relations with Russia, as Ukraine has colossal interests there," Yushchenko said. Europe is also interested in a mutually beneficial and tolerant partnership between Ukraine and Russia. At the same time, Yushchenko said, Ukraine views the West as a market "with unique global opportunities, and it would be a great mistake for the political elite to ignore it," so Ukraine has to choose European integration and European values.
Yushchenko believes that Ukraine has disappointed its strategic partners, notably "Russia, Poland, Washington and Brussels; they don't see any logical consistency and don't see a stability of the course which would be approved by Europe".
Back to the Top Next Issue
Nov. 25, 2002:
#6569 #6570 #6571
- Back to the Top -