Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stated that the country was prepared to cooperate on missile defence with European and other foreign powers. The ministry noted that withdrawal by Russia from a bilateral defence agreement earlier in the year had allowed Ukraine to establish active cooperation with European countries. Russia's parliament had in January voted to withdraw from a bilateral missile radar accord in response to Ukraine's application for membership in NATO1. Ukraine’s statement came in the wake of the Georgian crisis and the signing of a missile defence deal between Washington and Warsaw.

• 1. “Ukraine proposes missile defence cooperation with west,” August 16, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/16/rss.htm