Kuchma and Putin meet in Sochi (05/26/02)

Kuchma and Putin meet in Sochi

by Maryna Makhnonos
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

KYIV - Ukraine's President Leonid Kuchma on May 17 praised Russia's warmer ties with NATO during a brief one-day visit to the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, where he also discussed bilateral cooperation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Kuchma noted that relations between Russia and its former Cold War foe, NATO, had improved, which was demonstrated during the latest NATO summit in Reykjavik, Iceland.

"This is an epoch-making event," President Kuchma was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying. "This is acknowledgment that there is no Cold War and that Russia is not somebody's enemy, but a partner in global cooperation."

Mr. Kuchma spoke at the Bocharov Ruchei presidential residence after several hours of consultations with Mr. Putin.

Though he supports ties with the alliance, President Putin reiterated his position that Russia has no interest in joining NATO.

"Russia is going to participate in the decision-making process for issues such as the fight against terrorism, humanitarian operations," Mr. Putin said, according to Interfax.

Mr. Putin also encouraged Ukraine to strengthen its relations with NATO, saying that he is "absolutely sure that Ukraine would not stand away from broadening interaction with NATO and the Western countries."

President Kuchma said last month that Ukraine seeks closer ties with NATO. Asked in April whether Ukraine would be interested in joining NATO, Mr. Kuchma said: "Invite us."

Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal after declaring itself a neutral country when it proclaimed independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country has actively participated in NATO-sponsored multinational exercises as well as in U.N. peacekeeping contingents in Lebanon, Kosovo and Sierra Leone.

Other issues on the meeting's agenda included the countries' cooperation in the gas sector. Both presidents agreed to deepen cooperation in gas transport from Russia to Europe via Ukrainian pipelines. They did not provide details, however, about concrete measures or figures for expanding this cooperation.

"I'm glad the gas problem changed from a discordant element to a subject of cooperation," Mr. Kuchma told journalists.

Presidents Putin and Kuchma also focused on the activities of the Eurasian Economic Community (EEC) that comprises Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. After making indefinite statements about Ukraine's participation in the EEC earlier in the year, Mr. Kuchma stated his country's strong intention to join the grouping.

"We made the first step when became [EEC] observers," Mr. Kuchma said, as quoted by Interfax. "The next and deeper steps in this direction are not far off," he added.

Mr. Putin said that Ukraine may see a 1.5 percent increase in its gross domestic product if it opens its borders to EEC trade partners.

Some pro-Western Ukrainian politicians however, object to the plans, arguing they would harm Ukraine's integration with Europe.

"Unlike EEC countries, Ukraine officially declared its intention to unite with the European Union," ex-Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk told Interfax on May 21. "If (Ukraine) gets full EEC membership, it will be seen in Europe and the world as a partner whose words contradict its actions."

The bilateral presidential meeting also dealt with issues of scientific cooperation, including plans to jointly promote the AN-70 airplane on the international market. Officials repeated their desire to continue efforts in joint aircraft production despite current problems with demand.

Both presidents said they were satisfied with their meeting's results. Mr. Kuchma said there were "good perspectives for relations" in the future. "We have full mutual understanding in all issues about what to do jointly," Mr. Putin said.

Commenting on the parliamentary elections in Ukraine, the Russian president supported their outcome as a "big victory of the pro-presidential bloc." Mr. Putin expressed hope that as the new Parliament takes power, bilateral relations will develop.

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