Ukraine Is Sovereign, Independent, Not A Product Of The Cold War – Yushchenko

Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko said Friday, in the joint press conference with NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, that Ukraine is not a product of the Cold War, but a sovereign state with full rights to form its own security policy.

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Yushchenko said Ukraine on Thursday received a very strong and clear text regarding its NATO admission prospects, which has not happened for any other single country.

He added no Alliance member opposed or objected to the decision regarding Ukraine.

Yushchenko said this is the first time a country that survived 75 years of communist rule applies to join NATO.

"We are the only non-NATO member country to participate in all NATO peacekeeping operations, which shows we are devoted to European and Euro-Atlantic values,” Yushchenko said.

He added Ukraine is not a product of the Cold War.

“Ukraine is an independent, sovereign state with full right to form its own security policy,” he said, adding the fundamentals of Ukraine’s national security policies are in line with NATO security policies.

The Ukrainian leader added NATO in its decision Thursday set a very clear target for Ukraine and all member states assumed common responsibility for Ukraine’s future membership.

"Yesterday, we received a very clear text regarding Ukraine’s prospects in NATO,” Yushchenko said.

He said he is not a “naïve politician” and understands very well the debates and obstacles under discussions.

“It is the first time NATO receives a membership application from a country that survived 75 years of communism, and Ukraine understands these issues very well,” the Ukrainian president said.

Yushchenko added no other country in Europe paid such a high price for its sovereignty.

He added he is very happy that allied heads of state and governments appreciated Ukraine’s contribution to international and intercontinental security.

“Ukraine was one of the first countries to refuse nuclear arsenals on its territory,” Yushchenko said.

Yushchenko thanked the NATO secretary general personally.

“I know how hard it has been and I know the amount of effort that went into this. Thank you for your patience and splendid wisdom. All this is really really appreciated in Ukraine,” Yushchenko told Scheffer.

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