NATO Commander for Europe, General Wesley Clark, while on an official two-day visit to Ukraine ending February 9, declared that the most important element of the Ukrainian army’s compatibility with NATO forces is what people have in their heads. In this sense, Ukraine has made considerable headway. General Clark held talks with the Ukrainian Defense Minster and Deputy Foreign Minister.
The general noted that during the talks they discussed the overall situation in Europe, ways to develop the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and a number of initiatives put forth by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry aimed at strengthening cooperation with NATO. Mr. Clark did not enlarge on the Kyiv initiatives, adding only that they must first be discussed by NATO member countries; if agreed to, they could then be made public. By and large, the initiatives relate to joint military training and certain technical projects.
The NATO functionary further announced that Ukrainian military doctrine had been formulated so as to make it compatible with the NATO countries’ doctrines, which is very helpful. It would be better, of course, if the electronic equipment were as compatible. In other words, technical adjustments are a task for the future. NATO and Ukrainian units are learning to cooperate effectively as part of the KFOR contingent in Kosovo. General Clark thanked Ukraine for its participation in the peacekeeping force and for its invitation to use the Yavorivsky training ground for NATO forces and units of its member states, adding that they might well make use of this opportunity, because the place meets every NATO requirement.
The NATO general’s visit coincided with Russia’s proclamation of its new military doctrine, regarding the expansion of military blocs as a threat to its national security. When asked by The Day whether NATO will take this into account when deciding on the next expansion wave, Mr. Clark replied that NATO has always taken into consideration the views of the countries located in this part of the world and that it has always kept the door open to one and all. Should a country wish to join NATO, its wish will be considered a sovereign decision made by a sovereign state. What did he take home? Mr. Clark smiled and said he was bringing back a lot of work for his staff.
