Accessibility links

Breaking News

Ukraine Shelves Vote On NATO Exercises


Anti-American and anti-NATO protests in Simferopol on June 2 (RFE/RL) June 7, 2006 -- Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, convened today for just a few minutes before voting to adjourn until June 14.


Parliament deputies were to have voted on whether to proceed with controversial NATO-Ukrainian military exercises in the Crimea.


The adjournment was proposed by the Yuliya Tymoshenko Bloc, Our Ukraine, and the Socialist Party.


The three groupings, who acted as allies in the Orange Revolution in 2004, are expected to form a coalition government.


They have not, however, been able as yet to agree on cabinet appointments and other details.


Parliamentary elections were held in March.


In related news, Russia's lower house of parliament today warned Ukraine that its possible NATO membership would lead to "negative consequences for the entire range" of its relationship with Russia.


The warning came in a resolution approved by Duma lawmakers by a vote of 435-0. One deputy abstained.


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had told members of the Duma that the accession of Ukraine and Georgia to NATO that would amount to a "colossal geopolitical shift".


Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko has declared joining NATO a top priority for his country.


(compiled from agency reports)

RFE/RL Belarus, Ukraine, And Moldova Report

RFE/RL Belarus, Ukraine, And Moldova Report


SUBSCRIBE For weekly news and analysis on Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Belarus, Ukraine, And Moldova Report."

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG