Stars and Stripes
December 15, 2014
Ukraine considering new push for NATO membership, prime minister says
By John Vandiver
Ukraine’s prime minister on Monday called for more NATO support to reform its military as the country’s crisis with Russia has given new life to a once abandoned effort to eventually join the U.S.-led alliance.
“I do remember nine months ago when we said NATO membership is not yet on our radars,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said during a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. “I will tell you the screen of this radar has entirely changed.”
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“We need to pass reforms and implement reforms that are needed… to meet all standards and criteria that apply to all NATO states,” he said. “This is the roadmap and we will follow this roadmap.”
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During Yatsenyuk’s talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the prime minister also requested additional support in reviewing and shaping Ukraine’s defense and national security strategy, Yatsenyuk said.
“We need to modernize and overhaul [the] Ukrainian military.”
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As violence between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatists continues, pressure also is mounting on the Obama administration to intensify its support for Ukraine, which so far has been limited to nonlethal aid.
Last week, U.S. lawmakers approved legislation that authorizes but does not require the White House to send arms to Ukraine, something that political leaders in Kiev have long sought.
It remains unclear whether President Barack Obama will take the next step and send weapons into the country.
Any decision to send in lethal aid is a bilateral decision and not a matter for NATO consideration, Stoltenberg said.
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