Poroshenko considering NATO referendum
2 February 2017
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he is consdering organize a public referendum on NATO membership, as revealed in an interview published by a German newspaper on Feb. 2. “Four years ago, only 16 percent of residents support NATO entry. Now it’s 54 percent,” he said, slightly exaggerating poll figures.
Zenon Zawada: Such a referendum would confirm to the Western public, stricken with Ukraine fatigue, that Ukrainians are committed to integrating into Euro-Atlantic structures.
On the other hand, such a referendum will be viewed as a provocation by the Russian government, which won’t recognize it and might offer a fierce reaction, at least politically if not militarily. Under its current authoritarian regime, Russia will never allow Ukraine to join NATO, which it views as a direct threat to its national security.
It’s also worth considering that Poroshenko has a disturbing habit of making audacious claims without any follow up. This could be the latest stunt by Poroshenko to give hope to the Ukrainian public (as with EU visa-free travel), only to pull the rug from under its feet.
