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- Позиція українського прем’єра - достатньо чітка, він висловив свою позицію стосовно
американських протиракетних систем захисту, і він з Вами не згідний. Як Ви можете це пояснити? Чи
не свідчить це про те , що в Україні зростає внутрішньополітична боротьба між двома гілками влади?
- Я думаю , що це неправильний сигнал і поглянути на історію наших політичних стосунків,
починаючи з ситуації , коли країна стояла на передодні громадянської війни і , закінчуючи змінами в
конституції , тому можна легко дати відповідь , чому так відбувається. Але моє основне послання Європі,
це те, що жодне демократичне досягнення Помаранчевої Революції не буде здано, не буде загублено. І
процес який проходить Україна, потрібно поважати.

Strengthening tights with the EU is the stated aim of the Ukrainian President Viktor Yuchshenko. It was
the main purpose of his recent one day trip to Brussels. It was the first serious of talks of the new cooperation
agreements between the two sides. He discussed this and other issues with Euronews.

- Ukraine has begun negotiations with the EU with the aim of signing a new cooperation agreement.
Two years after the Orange Revolution your country has the potential to put relations with Brussels on a new
footing. What for you are the most important points?

- This agreement should give clear answers about a kind of a road map for the next two to three years. It
has to show us what we should do starting with the area of free trade for example and finishing with Ukraine’s
prospects for joining the EU. I would say that’s the most important and the most delicate point, because we
understand the mood circulating in the EU about Ukraine. Some call it a fatigue, some explain it as the problem
of the constitutional nature. Ukraine has a heavy responsibility in the European market. We would like to talk
about the association of energy systems. I want Ukraine to be inside those European energy systems.

- Kiev considers this new agreement with Brussels as the step on the way to a political and economic
association of Ukraine and the European Union, but the EU has given new and clear signal - no expansion in
the near future. Is Ukraine prepared to wait? And for how long?

- We have to say “never say never”. Ukraine is not an Asiatic country. It’s a European country, and by
the way the geographical centre of Europe is in Ukraine.

- The EU is interested in Ukraine as a stable partner, primarily as an energy partner, but any guarantees
that you give to Brussels could effect your relations with Moscow. How are you developing contacts with Russia
after last year’s gas conflict?

- Russia is a factor which has to be taken into consideration. If we want to form our relationship with
Russia, if we want to form our relationship with the EU, we understand very well that our way into the EU lies
through good relations with Russia. Nobody in the EU wants to see one country having problems with another,
and we understand that perfectly. Ukraine and Russia today have a new model of relations, where principles of a
quality are present, as well as the quality of partnership and interest. I want to say something as I’ve
understood – relationships with Russia are never simple for anybody.

- America’s intention to place its antiballistic missile defense system in Eastern Europe has raised
questions in the European Union. It has also drawn a very forceful reaction from Russia, which is strongly
opposed to the idea. What’s Kiev’s position on this?

- In order to be clear it’s necessary to start with the national interest of Ukraine. There are two elements
to consider in this question. First of all, it touches on bilateral American-Russian relations, which I would not

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