Response to an International Herald Tribune article, "Ukraine should not join NATO" by Sergei Karaganov
International Herald Tribune ::
July 23, 2006 :: by Adrianna Melnyk
link to the item on the IHT website
Regarding the commentary "Ukraine should not join NATO" by Sergei Karaganov (Views, July 20): Karaganov correctly states that Ukraine, like every other nation, has the right to join any alliance it wishes. However, Ukraine's desire to join NATO reflects the country's longing to become part of a community of civilized nations and a wish to distance itself from an increasingly undemocratic and despotic Russia.
Karaganov's claim that in joining NATO Ukraine would be "losing a partner" - referring to Russia - "that has not always been sweet but has never really played against Kiev" shows his poor understanding of history.
Josef Stalin's man-made famine in 1932-33, which resulted in the deaths of millions of people, mostly Ukrainians, subsequent policies of Russification in Ukraine, and most recently, the Kremlin's botched attempt to control the outcome of Ukraine's 2004 presidential election, are but a few examples of Russia "playing" against Ukraine.
The pro-NATO faction in Ukraine is comprised of those who understand that Ukraine's only hope for successful statehood is in creating a clear demarcation from Russia. The only "arc of instability" that will result from Ukraine's membership in NATO will be one created by those in Russia who fail to accept that the western portion of their empire has dissipated, and that its nations are choosing a more hopeful and liberal democratic path.
Adrianna Melnyk, New York Director of research and outreach, The Orange Circle