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Nato reviews Ukraine entry hopes Ukraine pushes for Nato schedule
(about 6 hours later)
A top Nato delegation has begun a two-day tour of Ukraine to discuss the next stages towards the country's possible membership of the alliance. Ukraine hopes to be approved as a candidate for membership of Nato by the end of the year, its president said while hosting a top Nato delegation.
Nato Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer is being accompanied on the trip by representatives of the 26 Nato member states. Nato chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer encouraged Ukraine, but said it still needed to bring in reforms.
But while Ukraine's government is keen to join the alliance, several hundred people mounted a protest in Kiev. He also said the matter was one for Nato to decide, and should not be influenced by a "third party" - an apparent reference to Russia.
And Russia has warned Ukraine of severe consequences if it pushes ahead. However, some Ukrainians joined protests in Kiev against Nato entry.
Last month Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Ukraine would be in breach of a 1997 friendship treaty if it joined Nato. "We very much hope that a positive decision will be taken this year," President Viktor Yushchenko said.
Moscow is deeply opposed to its neighbours joining the alliance, and its relations with both Ukraine and Georgia have deteriorated sharply as they have made their membership ambitions clear. Nato foreign ministers are set to meet in December.
At the weekend Russia said it could limit defence industry co-operation with Ukraine or increase visa restrictions. Mr De Hoop Scheffer, the Nato secretary general, and representatives of the 26 Nato member states are in Ukraine on a two-day tour.
Among some Ukrainians there is still deep hostility to Nato
He tried to reassure the Ukrainian people, many of whom are opposed to an alliance with the West.
"[Membership] does not mean Nato bases on Ukrainian soil... It does not mean any Ukrainian soldier will be forced to take part in Nato's operations or missions. That's a myth, a big myth and let me debunk that myth in your presence today," he said.
Mr Yushchenko echoed the sentiment, saying: "We must rid ourselves of myths and legends which, for nearly 60 years, were imposed on us by the front page of Pravda".
His reference to the Soviet newspaper comes in the wake of Russian warnings that Ukraine will face serious consequences if it pushes ahead with its Nato ambitions.
On Monday, a Russian arms producer said Russia was to replace Ukrainian-made engines in its cruise missiles with local ones, Reuters news agency reported.
Close to RussiaClose to Russia
Mr De Hoop Scheffer met Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko on Monday. As Mr De Hoop Scheffer met President Yushchenko, riot police stood outside, where several hundred people held anti-Nato protests.
The Nato delegation was also due to meet Ukraine's and defence and foreign ministers - who will be keen to explain their readiness to join, says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Ukraine. The Nato delegation is also likely to come face-to-face with such dissent as it holds public meetings in a number of cities across the country, says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Ukraine.
They hope to be invited onto the alliance's Membership Action Plan, which officially kicks off the membership process.
But riot police stood outside the President Yushchenko's offices on Monday, where several hundred people held anti-Nato protests.
The Nato party is also likely to come face-to-face with such dissent as it holds public meetings in a number of cities across the country, our correspondent says.
Opinion polls consistently suggest that more than half of Ukrainians have a deeply negative view of Nato.Opinion polls consistently suggest that more than half of Ukrainians have a deeply negative view of Nato.
In eastern parts of Ukraine Russian is the most commonly spoken language, and much of the population there feels close links with Moscow.In eastern parts of Ukraine Russian is the most commonly spoken language, and much of the population there feels close links with Moscow.