Over the past two days we've had a number of good, productive meetings on Ukraine's preparation on the path toward NATO membership. Ukraine currently participates in all NATO-led missions and continues to build expeditionary forces compatible with alliance requirements and goals.
While Ukraine's track record is impressive, they cannot rest on past achievements. They must speed the pace of security-sector reform, specifically addressing the defense budget shortfalls and urgently needed improvements in planning and prioritization. Despite political uncertainty, the leadership in Kiev must continue to show the sustained commitment required to join the alliance.
In addition to the NATO-Ukraine meeting, one of the main reasons for my trip here has been to support countries in this region that wish to integrate more fully with the West, be they NATO members or aspirants. These nations are, quite understandably, on edge due to Russia's incursion into Georgia last summer.
Russia's more recent behavior has been troubling as well. Within hours of the conclusion of the American election, Russian President Medvedev responded by threatening to place missiles in Kaliningrad -- hardly the welcome a new American administration deserves. Such provocative remarks are unnecessary and misguided.
As we've tried to make clear, Russia has nothing to fear from a defensive missile shield or, for that matter, the presence of democratic nations on its periphery. Rather than engaging in the kind of rhetoric associated with a bygone era, the United States would prefer that Russia works with us to combat mutual security threats. We will continue to seek a constructive, positive relationship with the Russian government.
In closing, I would like to reaffirm America's unwavering support for our Baltic partners and the NATO aspirations of Ukraine, as well as our abiding commitment to the principle of collective security on behalf of all alliance members.
This is one good statement. He affirms our commitment to our new NATO allies, dismisses Russia's worries over our proposed missile defenses, questions Russia's determination to target Europe with nuclear weapons, and undescores that Ukraine must sort our their internal dispute over joining NATO, as I've mentioned, even as we hold open membership as inevitable if the Ukrainians want it.
Gates also addresses the issue of transfering old Perry class frigates to Ukraine (I assume he addressed this from the context of the answer, since the question in Ukrainian was not posted) by noting they would be expensive and posssibly not appropriate given Ukrainian defense expenditures.
I was worried in fall 2006 that Gates was brought in to lose the Iraq War. I've come to rather like him. This was a very strong and comprehensive statement of support for our new and prospective NATO allies against Russian pressure.
