Ukraine bids to become member of Nato
Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer opened meetings with top Ukrainian officials today, aimed at reviewing the ex-Soviet republic’s bid to join the Western alliance.
De Hoop Scheffer was due to meet with President Viktor Yushchenko, Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk, Defence Minister Anatoly Gritsenko and others to discuss Ukraine’s progress in military, political, and economic reforms necessary for Nato membership.
De Hoop Scheffer was also expected to participate in a meeting of Ukraine’s top security body.
Ukraine’s pro-Western leadership wants to see the country join Nato, but the alliance has stopped short of laying out a timeline for membership.
