The chill factor

25 March 2008 By Martin Hutchinson

Medvedev’s sabrerattling about Nato echoes Putin’s policies for the near abroad. Political pressure, and the example of Russia’s oilfuelled economic success, may undermine neighbours’ commitment to free markets. Russian contempt for property rights could prove contagious.

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Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's Presidentelect, has warned that granting Nato membership to Ukraine and Georgia could threaten European security. A Nato summit at Bucharest next week is considering allowing them to join Nato's "membership action plan".

President Viktor Yushchenko and prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko support Ukraine's Nato bid, as well as membership of the EU. President George W. Bush is due to visit Kiev next week before the Bucharest summit.

According to opinion polls, a majority of Ukrainian voters oppose Nato membership, although the majority opposed has diminished over the past year, to 53%32% in the latest poll. In Georgia, a recent opinion poll showed Nato membership is supported by 83% to 12%.

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