Ukraine had to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) immediately after the start of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. President Poroshenko has delayed this important decision for several years without any valid reasons.
This was stated by the chairman of the board of “Maidan of Foreign Affairs” Fund, head of Kyiv city organization of UKROP Bohdan Yaremenko on the air of Espresso TV channel.
“This is absolutely inadequate, unclear and has no explanation. We saw our neighbors who were experiencing similar difficulties with Russia, war and aggression. It took them several hours to make such a decision,” said Bohdan Yaremenko.
According to the diplomat, after withdrawing its representatives from the CIS bodies, Ukraine should restart active cooperation with the countries of the region.
“Today, even the role of a regional leader will require Ukraine’s efforts, finances, resources, time and political will. But this need is completely justified,” said Bohdan Yaremenko.
According to the UKROP member, domestic diplomats should focus their attention, first of all, on the rapprochement with Georgia and Moldova, and also to determine the accession to the EU and NATO as priorities of its foreign policy.
“Moldova and Georgia claim the same strategic goals of foreign policy as Ukraine. Anyway we will be allies, so we have every reason to talk about the need for rapprochement,” added the expert.
The GUAM (regional organization of Georgia, Ukraine, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Moldova) may become one of the platforms for establishing cooperation. The organization was set up in 1997 to counter Russia’s influence in the region, but soon it ceased its activities. According to Bohdan Yaremenko, restoration of work of the GUAM organization may become an effective mechanism in confrontation with the Russian Federation, in particular in terms of imposing economic sanctions. Despite common interests, Ukrainian diplomats for some reason do not pay enough attention to this organization.
“This is one of the key tasks of Ukraine’s foreign policy – to give some new ideas and new vision to the organization. There are common directions, there is a need and a combination of circumstances. But unfortunately so far the Ukrainian diplomacy is not working here,” said Bohdan Yaremenko.
