39
declined rapidly.
111
Ukraine has been heavily criticised by the US for its alleged sale of four
sophisticated radar systems to Iraq as well as being a haven for terrorist money
laundering.
112
Ukraine has also been accused of the sale of pontoon bridges to Iraq. The
subsequent demotion of Ukraine combined with the allegations made against Ukraine’s
president, have pushed Ukraine firmly to the periphery of Europe.
113
The decision by
Ukraine to send a NBC battalion to Iraq and the proposal to send 1,800 troops to the
Polish sector in post-conflict Iraq has led to a slight improvement in relations with the
US.
114
It is clear however, that for Ukraine to consolidate and improve relations with the
West and Russia it is necessary for it to focus on the issue of democratisation. Military
assistance programmes therefore have a vital role to play in facilitating SSR in Ukraine.
Given that there is considerable domestic support for closer cooperation with Russia,
Ukraine’s increased democratisation, is likely to increase rather than decrease this trend in
the future. In early 2002 the Sociological Services of the Razumkov Centre conducted a
poll, which examined public opinion of Ukraine’s foreign policy orientation and priorities
and found that over 60% of those surveyed thought that Ukraine should deepen co-
operation with Russia.
115
A similar survey of political parties and blocs who were
participating in the elections to the Rada found that the majority of political forces
emphasise the need to deepen relations with the Russian Federation.
116
These findings
indicate that there is considerable support within Ukrainian society for greater co-
operation, albeit as an equal, with the Russian Federation. If Ukraine continues along the
democratic path and public opinion and the legislature play an increasing role in shaping
110
Michael Binyon, ‘Kremlin enjoys the fruits of its foreign policy’, World News, The Times Online,
http://www.timesonline.cl.uk/article/0,,3-487271,00.html
111
Oleksandr Pavliuk, ‘An Unfulfilling Partnership: Ukraine and the West, 1991-2001’ European
Security, 11/1 (Spring 2002) pp.81-101.
112
‘Ukraine under pressure over Iraq’, BBC News 26 September 2002,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2283620.stm
113
For a discussion see Taras Kuzio, ‘Nato membership for Ukraine not likely before 2012’, RFE/RL
Newsline, 21 February 2003.
114
‘Polish-Led Iraqi force has been formed’. Defense Ministry AFP, 6 June 2003, as reported in NATO
Enlargement Daily Brief, Friday, 06 June 2003.
115
‘Ukraine’s foreign policy: The positions and assessment of citizens’, National Security & Defence,
2/26, March 2002.
116
‘Foreign Policy: Positions of the leaders of parties and blocs’, National Security & Defence, 2/26
March 2002.
Convention