Posted by Yash on May 10, 2002 at 00:45:55:
Excerpts from:
RUSSIA CONTINUES TO DISRESPECT UKRAINIAN SOVEREIGNTY
By Taras Kuzio 9 May 2002 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Newsline
It took Russia five years after the demise of the USSR to sign an all-encompassing interstate treaty with Ukraine in 1997, and then a further two for both chambers of the Russian parliament to ratify that treaty. Three years later, Russia's actions in a number of areas show that although Ukraine's borders might no longer be in question, Moscow still finds it extremely difficult to recognize Ukraine as an equal and sovereign state.... In Russia's view, other CIS member states only possess partial sovereignty as the "near abroad,".... Russia still finds it difficult to accept Ukraine (and Belarus) as separate countries with independent statehood....