Kiev - Top Ukrainian politicians were split on Russian
President Dmitriy Medvedev's recognition of the independance of the
Georgian breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Pro-Russia politician Viktor Yanukovich, head of Ukraine's
opposition Regions party, supported Medvedev's move, saying 'Ukraine
should respect the will of the peoples of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.'
In an Interfax news agency interview, Yanukovich said the status
of the two regions was similar to Kosovo's separation from Serbia,
and argued Ukraine should recognise the independence of both renegade
Georgian provinces.
But Arseny Yatseniok, a pro-Europe politician and close ally of
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, criticised the Kremlin, saying
'only the United Nations can rule on this question (of the status of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia.'
Yatseniuk made the comments to reporters during a visit to
Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk province.
'This (Russian recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia' is
factually a violation of international law,' he said.
The conflict between Russia and Western nations over the two
Georgian provinces would have 'direct consequences' on Ukraine's
security, he added.
Ukraine's government and society are sharply split on relations
with Russia, with a slight majority favouring closer relations with
Europe, and a strong majority supporting closer ties with Moscow.
A majority of Ukrainians have been opposed to NATO membership for
years according to repeated polls, in large part because of Ukrainian
fears joining the alliance would mean sending troops to fight in the
Middle East.
Ukrainian friendliness towards Russia has according to recent
polls eroded somewhat lately, due to the Russo-Georgian war, and
because possible parallels between Russian support to Abkhazia and
South Ossetia, and the Kremlin's assertions it is obliged to protect
ethnic Russians living in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.
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