Ukraine lumbers onto NATO's radar

NATO Secretary General George Robertson on July 9 welcomed Ukraine's bid to join the Atlantic alliance but warned of a long road ahead in which the former Soviet republic would have to carry out wholesale political and economic reforms.

President Leonid Kuchma said his country would do "everything possible" to join NATO at the outset of a meeting with Robertson, who is making a three-day visit to Kiev.

"Ukraine's total integration into NATO is dictated by the reality of European and world politics, particularly after the tragic events of Sept. 11 in the United States," Kuchma said, quoted by the Foreign Ministry.

"We are aware that joining NATO will be a long process, and we will do everything possible," he said.

Robertson said NATO "looks favorably" on Ukrainian aspirations, but added that Kiev must display "a sustained commitment to the implementation of political, economic and defense reforms," together with respect of human rights, the rule of law and full freedom for the press.

The NATO-Ukraine relationship has entered "a new, even more dynamic phase," he said, but stressed that the rate of future progress "will depend primarily on Ukraine itself."

"NATO is ready to go as far as Ukraine is willing and able to go. I am convinced it will be a road with a successful destination," he said.

Ukraine has come under considerable scrutiny in the past two years on democracy and human rights issues, notably concerning the mysterious killing of journalist Georgy Gongadze in which Kuchma himself was implicated by a former bodyguard.

Kuchma rejected the allegations, but for several weeks last year was subjected to street demonstrations calling for his removal.

Foreign Minister Anatoly Zlenko meanwhile refused to speculate on a possible date for Ukrainian membership of NATO.

"We cannot define any terms — this is a long process and we are accepting the recommendations given by NATO," he said.

Kuchma said in May that Ukraine had begun the application process, with a formal request for membership to be handed to Robertson during his visit.

The formal request is likely to further complicate Ukraine's often-tense relationship with its northern neighbor Russia, on which it relies for most of its energy supplies.

The Kremlin has expressed concern at moves by the West to court Ukraine, which last year took part in NATO military exercises and hosted a NATO-sponsored conference on security.