Poroshenko Says He Plans To Hold Referendum On Ukraine Joining NATO
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told German media that he is planning a referendum on whether Ukraine should join NATO now that polls show 54 percent of Ukrainians favor such a move.
"Four years ago, only 16 percent favored Ukraine's entry into NATO. Now, it's 54 percent," Poroshenko told Germany's Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain in an interview published on February 2.
"As president, I am guided by the views of my people, and I will hold a referendum on the issue of NATO membership."
He vowed to "do all I can to achieve membership in the transatlantic alliance" if people vote for that. He said Ukraine's military will be up to NATO standards by 2020.
NATO and Ukraine have had a close relationship since the early 1990s, and the alliance's website says their ties are one of the "most substantial" of NATO's partnerships.
However, any move by NATO to admit Ukraine would spark tensions with Russia.
Poroshenko also told the newspaper that Ukraine is making progress on joining the European Union by reducing its budget deficit and curbing corruption.
"Europe should realize that it would be more secure, reliable, and happier with Ukraine," he said.
Based on reporting by Reuters and TASS
We'll kick off the live blog this morning with some news filed by our news team overnight:
Ukrainian Envoy: U.S. Affirms Opposition To Russian Takeover Of Crimea
Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations said the Trump administration fully supports his country's territorial integrity and independence and will never accept Russia's annexation of Crimea.
At a news conference in New York on February 1, Volodymyr Yelchenko said U.S. ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley told him the United States is "completely against the way Russia is dealing with the eastern part of Ukraine."
"She confirmed the U.S. position on Crimea, that the annexation will never be accepted," he said, adding that he was "absolutely satisfied" with her answers to inquiries about Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
While he was campaigning for office last year, President Donald Trump told ABC News he would "take a look" at the Crimea question and "that the people of Crimea, from what I've heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were, and you have to look at that, also."
While the Trump administration may be considering establishing a closer relationship with Russia, Yelchenko said, that is "not happening at the price of Ukraine."
The U.S. Mission to the UN said Haley reaffirmed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity in her meeting with Yelchenko.
Based on reporting by AP, dpa, ABC News, and TASS
This ends our live blogging for February 1. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our continuing coverage.
