Nato prepares pact to reassure Ukraine

Rupert Cornwell Author Biography

Rupert Cornwell

Known for his commentary on international relations and US politics, Rupert Cornwell also contributes obituaries and occasionally even a column for the sports pages. With The Independent since its launch in 1986, he was the paper's first Moscow correspondent - covering the collapse of the Soviet Union – during which time he won two British Press Awards. Previously a foreign correspondent for the Financial Times and Reuters, he has also been a diplomatic correspondent, leader writer and columnist, and has served as Washington bureau editor. In 1983 he published God's Banker, about Roberto Calvi, the Italian banker found hanging from Blackfriars Bridge.

More articles from this journalist

Tuesday 04 March 1997

Print
A A A
Related articles
Suggested Topics
Nato is aiming to conclude a separate agreement with Ukraine, for endorsement at its Madrid summit, setting out relations between an enlarged alliance and the former Soviet republic, Michael Portillo, the Secretary of State for Defence, said yesterday. The mooted pact - part of a tapestry of moves to reassure East European countries which will not be in the first group of new Nato members in 1999 - is further evidence of how the negotiating emphasis is already shifting from expansion itself to its consequences for countries that will be excluded.

Separately, the alliance is seeking a beefed-up Atlantic Partnership Council to replace the Partnership for Peace initiative. This is designed to meet concerns of the three Baltic nations, which like Ukraine, fear they will be left in a no-man's-land between an aggressive Russia and a Nato extended - in all probability - to the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. Rupert Cornwell - Washington

Comments

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Top stories
The Government says the amendment could set back gay marriage by 18 months

PM offers review of civil partnerships as gay marriage Bill clears major hurdle

Christopher Bryant, editor of gay and lesbian online magazine Polari, was on his way home from his birthday celebrations with partner Damon Truluck when they were confronted and beaten by a group of six men on Saturday night

As MPs squabble over gay marriage, is this the true face of tolerance in Britain?

News in pictures
World news in pictures
UK news in pictures
UK news in pictures
More stories
Ian McIntosh is determined to solve the mystery of the ancient coins

X marks the spot: The find that could rewrite Australian history

Sandra Fluke, left, the law student that Rush Limbaugh, right, attacked because of her stance on birth control

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Mind games: Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi and David Cross

The return of the greatest sitcom ever

       
Independent
Travel Shop
India and Shimla
 14 nights from only £1899pp Find out more
Prague city break
 Three nights from £199pp Find out more
4* Soreda hotel break, Malta
 Seven nights all-inclusive from £399pp Find out more
SPONSORED FEATURES

Get your summer started with British Military Fitness

BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes

Visit York Prizes & offers Business videos

Visit York

Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world

Military Fitness Prizes & offers Business videos

Enter the latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

Military Fitness Visit York Business videos

Business videos from commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

Military Fitness Visit York Prizes & offers
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

SAP SD Consultant

£475 - £476 per day + negotiable: Progressive Recruitment: SAP SD Contract Con...

Maths Teacher- Reading

Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Our client in Sonning Common, is looki...

Science Teacher- Reading

Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Our client in Sonning Common, is looki...

Special Needs Teacher in Lewisham South London

£27000 - £55000 per annum: Randstad Education London: Supply special education...

View the latest from iJobs

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in