Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kostiantyn Hryshchenko has said that Russia is the biggest dilemma for Ukrainian foreign policy. There are a number of psychological barriers between the two countries, which can be overcome only through dialogue.

Hryschenko wrote this in his blog on the website of UKRINFORM, responding to the reaction by critics who joined the discussion regarding his article entitled "Strategic Balance as a Chance for Ukraine in a Multi-Polar World."

"I'd like to say a few words about the biggest dilemma for national foreign policy - about Russia. Some people view my article as a show of respect for Moscow, and some people (mostly radical supporters of turning back to the EU) as an affront. Russia is more than a partner for us. But there are a number of psychological barriers between us, which can be overcome only through dialogue and mutual respect. These questions cannot be solved 'through raid,'” Hryshchenko said.

In his opinion, Ukraine needs an individual approach in its foreign policy. "I am not a supporter of sharp political changes. I also don't share the opinion that until the country becomes stronger economically, it should move without any will in someone else's fairway and cannot have its own approach to foreign policy. But Ukraine needs an individual approach - both in view of national identity and in view of its very specific foreign policy environment, which is formed right before our eyes," the minister said.

The minister said that the key provision in his article was the statement that after the accession of the Balkans to the EU, there will most likely be "a durable and very long pause in the enlargement process." If so, then it is not ruled out that there will be quite lengthy uncertainty about the prospects of Ukraine's membership, Hryshchenko said. "Not because we are bad and not because 'we are not wanted there.' This is the specificity of the current political situation in the EU," the foreign minister said.

In his opinion, Ukraine enters into association with the EU, while being in a fundamentally different situation than any other European country that has ever made this step. "The parallels between Ukraine and Poland, the Czech Republic, Serbia or Albania are wrong. And not because we are worse than Serbia and Albania, but because there has long been a fundamental political decision with respect to Serbia and Albania, unlike Ukraine," Hryshchenko said. He said that those who want to shift the blame for this only onto Ukraine, that's their business. But those who know the situation in the European Union and who are honest to the end, will not do that, the minister said.

"In this situation, we have to build a Europe in Ukraine, but be prepared that it will be mainly our national interest and it will be mainly conducted at the expense of our national resources. It's hard, but possible. And I see the success of Turkey as a sign that it is possible," Hryshchenko said.

Спасибі за Вашу активність, Ваше питання буде розглянуто модераторами найближчим часом

657