Kiev - Ukraine's government on Tuesday sharply condemned
Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev's Tuesday recognition of the
independence of the Georgian breakaway regions Abkhazia and South
Ossetia, but Ukrainian opposition leaders spoke out in favour.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the Russian decision
'a gross violation of international law, bilateral, and multilateral
treaties.'
Russian signed a 1991 agreement guaranteeing the territorial
integrity of former Soviet republics, and its decision to recognize
the independence of two Georgian provinces directly contradicted that
commitment, the Foreign Ministry said in part.
Using some of the harshest language heard yet in the often
acrimonious Russia-Ukraine dialogue, the statement described the
Kremlin move as 'de facto annexation ... categorically condemned by
Ukraine.'
Ukraine's government without apparent warning Moscow cancelled a
August 27 visit by high-level Kiev politicians to Moscow. A Kremlin
statement said it was 'unfortunate ... that we are learning of our
counterpart's decisions through the mass media.'
But Ukrainian 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.
The pro-Russia Yanukovich said the status of the two regions was
similar to Kosovo's separation from Serbia, and argued Ukraine should
recognize the independence of both renegade Georgian provinces.
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).'
Making the comments to reporters during a visit to Ukraine's
western Ivano-Frankivsk province, Yatseniok said Russia's recognition
of South Ossetia and Abkhazia 'is factually a violation of
international law.'
The conflict between Russia and the West 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.
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 in recent weeks, due to the Russo-Georgian
war, and due to possible parallels between Russian support for
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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