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| Ukraine Takes Step Toward Joining NATO | Ukraine Takes Step Toward Joining NATO |
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| MOSCOW — With a Russian-backed separatist insurgency still gripping eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian Parliament voted on Tuesday to take steps toward joining NATO. It was a pointed rebuke to Russia that immediately drew an angry response. | MOSCOW — With a Russian-backed separatist insurgency still gripping eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian Parliament voted on Tuesday to take steps toward joining NATO. It was a pointed rebuke to Russia that immediately drew an angry response. |
| The Parliament, firmly controlled by a pro-Western majority, voted overwhelmingly 303 to 8, to repeal a 2010 law that codified a policy of “nonalignment,” and to instead pursue closer military and strategic ties with the West. | The Parliament, firmly controlled by a pro-Western majority, voted overwhelmingly 303 to 8, to repeal a 2010 law that codified a policy of “nonalignment,” and to instead pursue closer military and strategic ties with the West. |
| Former President Viktor F. Yanukovych, who was toppled in February after months of huge street protests in Kiev, the capital, pushed through the 2010 law shortly after he took office. Mr. Yanukovych fled to Russia after he lost power. | Former President Viktor F. Yanukovych, who was toppled in February after months of huge street protests in Kiev, the capital, pushed through the 2010 law shortly after he took office. Mr. Yanukovych fled to Russia after he lost power. |
| The 2010 law defined nonalignment as “nonparticipation of Ukraine in the military-political alliances.” | The 2010 law defined nonalignment as “nonparticipation of Ukraine in the military-political alliances.” |
| The revised law, which was a priority of President Petro O. Poroshenko, requires Ukraine to “deepen cooperation with NATO in order to achieve the criteria required for membership in this organization.” For now, it still seems unlikely that Ukraine will join NATO, in part because of Russia’s strong opposition. | The revised law, which was a priority of President Petro O. Poroshenko, requires Ukraine to “deepen cooperation with NATO in order to achieve the criteria required for membership in this organization.” For now, it still seems unlikely that Ukraine will join NATO, in part because of Russia’s strong opposition. |
| Russia has denied repeatedly that it set off the separatist violence in eastern Ukraine, but in recent months it has also made clear that preventing Ukraine from seeking NATO membership is one of its top goals. In November, President Vladimir V. Putin’s personal spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told the BBC: “We would like to hear a 100 percent guarantee that no one would think about Ukraine’s joining NATO.” | Russia has denied repeatedly that it set off the separatist violence in eastern Ukraine, but in recent months it has also made clear that preventing Ukraine from seeking NATO membership is one of its top goals. In November, President Vladimir V. Putin’s personal spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told the BBC: “We would like to hear a 100 percent guarantee that no one would think about Ukraine’s joining NATO.” |
| Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Tuesday, the Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, sharply criticized the Ukrainian Parliament’s move. “This is counterproductive,” Mr. Lavrov said. “It only pumps up confrontation, and creates the illusion that by passing such laws it is possible to settle a deep domestic crisis within Ukraine.” | Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Tuesday, the Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, sharply criticized the Ukrainian Parliament’s move. “This is counterproductive,” Mr. Lavrov said. “It only pumps up confrontation, and creates the illusion that by passing such laws it is possible to settle a deep domestic crisis within Ukraine.” |
| Repeating Russia’s longstanding contention that Mr. Yanukovych was ousted in an unconstitutional overthrow, Mr. Lavrov added: “A much more productive and sensible path is to start at last a dialogue with that part of their own people, which has been completely ignored since the state coup was carried out. There is no other way. Only constitutional reform, with participation of all regions and political forces of Ukraine, can give a correct tone.” | Repeating Russia’s longstanding contention that Mr. Yanukovych was ousted in an unconstitutional overthrow, Mr. Lavrov added: “A much more productive and sensible path is to start at last a dialogue with that part of their own people, which has been completely ignored since the state coup was carried out. There is no other way. Only constitutional reform, with participation of all regions and political forces of Ukraine, can give a correct tone.” |
| Russia has called repeatedly for a new, federalized system of government in Ukraine, which would expand the powers of regional officials. Mr. Poroshenko and his allies have been unwilling to create powerful regional governments, which might be more loyal to Moscow than Kiev. Instead, they have been drawing up a decentralization plan that would increase the authority of local officials. |