Stop to Ukraine's and Georgia's NATO dreams can start the policy of detente again

On 2nd Dec. 2008, the Foreign Ministers of NATO have decided during their "transatlantic dinner" that Ukraine and Georgia will not get the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP). US, Poland and Baltic States were supporting MAP for both states however "the old" continental Europe was against. The background is of course recent conflict in Georgia, turmoil in domestic politics in Ukraine. Besides according polling the majority of population in Ukraine is against NATO membership.

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NATO's position to both issues above will determine the outcome of OSCE meeting on 4.-5. Dec. in Helsinki, where some 40-50 Foreign ministers - US and Russia included - will take part. The outcome can be nothing at worst but at at best it can lead through summit at presidential level to new dialogue between great powers with change to even start policy of détente again. When NATO now has put "soft" stop for Ukraine's and Georgia's NATO dreams it is also possible to find more or less positive answer to Russia's initiative over new European security proposal.

The decision makes it possible to restart dialogue between USA and Russia. It remains to see whether there will be any common position in EU about cooperation with Russia. However some base for development of international relations has now made and further progress could be achieved during OSCE meeting this week - 4.5.12.2008 - in Helsinki, where some 40-50 Foreign ministers will take part.

The outcome can be nothing at worst but at at best it can lead through summit at presidential level to new dialogue between great powers with change to even start policy of détente again. It remains to see whether there will be any common position in EU about cooperation with Russia.

More my views over Balkans and Caucasus one may find from my BalkanBlog