Europe worries that Kremlin sights may be on Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Georgia in August 2008 and its attempt to partition the country by recognising the enclaves of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent have prompted concern across the European Union about what else might be in the Kremlin’s sights. Anxiety is mounting that it could ultimately be Ukraine.

Feature looks at Europe's concerns about Ukraine in the context of the EU-Ukraine Summit, Paris, 9 September 2008 and discussions as to whether Ukraine should be offered the possibilty of eventual EU membership.

ESO: Background information: Kiev needs EU more than Nato http://www.europeansources.info/record/kiev-needs-eu-more-than-nato/

Deutsche Welle, 9.9.08: EU to Offer Cautious Support for Ukraine's Candidacy http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3627741,00.html

France24, 9.9.08: EU to encourage stronger ties with Kiev http://www.france24.com/en/20080909-eu-optimistic-about-stronger-ukraine-ties-european-union-paris-kiev&navi=MONDE

European Commission: DG External Relations: Ukraine http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/ukraine/index_en.htm

France24, 11.9.08: Moscow slams Kiev's 'unfriendly' stance http://www.france24.com/en/20080911-policies-russia-unfriendly-ukraine-georgia-sebastopol-lavrov&navi=EUROPE

Deutsche Welle, 12.9.08: Putin Denies Imperial Ambitions as Russia Warns Ukraine http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3637615,00.html

European Commission: Press Release: IP/08/1302: Leaders look forward to a new phase in EU- Ukraine relations http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1302&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: MEMO/08/556: EU-Ukraine relations http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/556&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

---