Blue &Yellow: Politics and Economics in Ukraine

 The NATO-Ukraine Commission held a meeting at the foreign ministers level on the same day in Brussels. In that meeting the Allies reaffirmed their “conviction that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity were key factors for ensuring stability in Europe” (the only strategic consideration that entered into NATO’s discourse during this entire event). The meeting welcomed “progress achieved” through the current NATO-Ukraine mechanism, known as Annual Target Plans within a multi-year Action Plan (no “M”) for security sector reforms, as well as the NATO-Ukraine Intensified Dialogue at the political level. Ukraine, moreover, has enjoyed a special status since 1997 under the NATO-Ukraine Charter for Distinctive Partnership. The commission did not clarify how the new Annual National Programs would upgrade the existing framework. Pending such decisions, the Allies decided at this meeting to reinforce the NATO Information and Documentation Center and the NATO Liaison Office in Kyiv.

This immediate decision reflects continuing concern over NATO’s low popularity rating in Ukraine and the Orange authorities’ failure to educate the public about the alliance, despite multiple promises to do so. The meeting also urged the “political leaders of Ukraine to settle their differences in a way that ensures domestic stability.” Attending the meeting, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Volodymyr Ohryzko spoke of the need for more adequate funding of reforms in the military and security sector and for raising public awareness of NATO issues. (Eurasia Daily Monitor Volumer 5 Issue 232)