Poroshenko: Ukrainians should vote on whether to join NATO
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Poroshenko: Ukrainians should vote on whether to join NATO, 23 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba2e9.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 23, 2015
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has repeated a pledge to put the question of NATO membership before the Ukrainian people in a referendum vote.
Poroshenko told the iTele French television station on April 22 that joining NATO is a "fundamental" issue, and he would "hold a referendum [and] let the people decide."
He did not say when such a vote would be held.
The Ukrainian president has previously stated that Kyiv would not attempt to join the military alliance without getting approval in a referendum.
But Poroshenko said the government's priority is joining the European Union because Ukraine is a European country and "Europe can't be complete without Ukraine."
On the fighting in eastern Ukraine, Poroshenko said bloodshed continues as government troops battle Russian-backed separatists in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions despite a February cease-fire agreement.
More than 6,100 people have been killed in the conflict in the past year.
Based on reporting by Unian and KyivPost.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website