NATO Secretary General strongly condemns violence in Kiev, urges dialogue

By Nigel Chamberlain and Ian Davis, NATO Watch

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said he is extremely concerned about the latest events in the Ukrainian capital, and called for dialogue and restraint. The months-long protest in Kiev has erupted into new levels of violence and there is little prospect of an early resolution of the crisis despite direct negotiations between President Yanukovich and opposition leaders.
 
"I am extremely concerned about the dramatic developments in Ukraine and the reports of several deaths in Kiev. I strongly condemn the use of violence. Violence can never be the answer to a political crisis," he said in a statement in Brussels on Wednesday.  "It is urgent that all parties engage in a real dialogue, show restraint and avoid any further escalation," Rasmussen added.
 
On 28th November 2013, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency posted Rasmussen’s answers to ten questions on NATO-Ukrainian relations. In the light of recent developments, it is illustrative to re-visit the edited highlights of the Q&A session:
Q1. What is the agenda of the upcoming NATO ministerial meeting, and can we expect the formation of a NATO-Ukraine commission?
A1.The ministerial meeting will focus on the NATO summit next year. We will discuss the agenda of the summit, we will discuss our partnership, and we will discuss Afghanistan. For practical logistical reasons we will not have a NATO-Ukraine commission meeting at this time.
Q2. Is there any possibility that Ukrainian issues will be on the agenda due to the current developments in the country?
A2. It won't be on the NATO agenda as such – we'll continue our practical cooperation with Ukraine. Actually Ukraine is a very active partner of NATO; Ukraine contributes to all NATO lead operations.
Q3. What is your assessment of how the Ukrainian soldiers performed during the Steadfast Jazz exercises?
A3.It's my impression that the Ukrainian units did very well. The whole purpose of this exercise was to improve our ability to work and operate together. That's why I very much appreciate the Ukrainian contribution to that exercise.
Q4. As for the response forces of NATO, the next exercise will take place in 2015 in the south of Europe. Do you also expect the participation of partners in these exercises?
A4. Absolutely. Partners will be invited to participate, and of course we will also welcome a Ukrainian contribution to that exercise.
Q5. Afghanistan after 2014: we're talking about NATO's Resolute Support operation. What's your vision of the possible participation of partners in this?
A5. Partners will be invited to contribute to Resolute Support. It's a mission with the aim of training, advising, and assisting the Afghan security forces after 2014. We'd also welcome contributions from partners, including Ukraine.
Q6. Coming back to Ukraine: What's your opinion about the current situation?
A6.We fully respect Ukrainian decisions as to how Ukraine will develop its relationship with NATO, as well as with the EU. However, I would regret it if it's not possible to sign the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, because I do believe that the future of Ukraine lies within the Euro-Atlantic space of NATO and the EU.
Q7. If Ukraine signs the Association Agreement it could change the map of the European continent in terms of security. If we're seeing Russia putting pressure on Ukraine to keep it close, don't you think this also might push Russia to review its position on cooperation with NATO?
A7. NATO countries, the EU countries, Russia, as well as the countries of Eastern Neighborhood, including Ukraine – have signed a document, according to which each individual country has the right to decide to which alliance or organization it wants to belong. If anyone puts pressure on Ukraine in order to prevent Ukraine from deciding freely on Ukraine's affiliation, its alliances, then this will be in contradiction with the principles to which we all subscribed to in 1999. From a strategic point of view, I do believe that it will be mutually beneficial if Ukraine signs an Association Agreement as it will also be beneficial for Russia.
Q8. A few days ago, the leadership of Russia announced that they would start to build an anti-missile system together with Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Does this put an end to the difficult negotiations between NATO and Russia over anti-missile systems?
A8. We're very much determined to protect and defend our population against any threat, including missile threats. We've invited Russia to cooperate because we do believe it's in our common interests in defending our populations against potential missile threats.
Q9. The last time the North Atlantic Council (NAC) visited Ukraine was in 2008. Last year there were plans to hold a council meeting in Kiev, but these were put off because of the Tymoshenko issue. Will we see the NAC finally come to Ukraine? And also a question for you in this regard – the last time you visited Ukraine was in 2011. Do you plan to visit Ukraine yourself?
A9.No. 2014 will be extremely busy, focusing on the summit in September. But dialogue is taking place at all levels, in many forms. One possibility is to have further NATO-Ukraine meetings here at NATO headquarters.
Q10. Can we expect the upcoming summit to be a summit on enlargement?

A10. We've not taken any decisions concerning the final agenda yet. NATO's door certainly remains open, but each individual country that aspires to be a member of NATO must fulfil certain criteria to get an invitation, and it's premature to make any assessments in that respect.