Ukrainian People’s deputies enshrined in the Constitution the strategic course of Ukraine to join NATO and the EU to make a pro-Russian rematch impossible.
People’s deputies finally approved the changes to the Constitution regarding the EU and NATO. This decision establishes the strategic course of Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union and makes it impossible to change this course.
334 deputies voted in the second reading for the draft amendments to the Constitution introduced by Petro Poroshenko. A constitutional majority of 300 votes was required to make this decision.
Now the document must be signed by parliamentary speaker Andrei Paruby and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. The changes will take effect the day after it was published in the official press.
What is the meaning of constitutional in the context of Ukraine’s integration in the EU and NATO?
- The strategic course of Ukraine on the acquisition of full membership in the European Union and NATO. The law does not define precise dates for joining the EU and the North Atlantic Alliance. However, it is clearly stated that Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic course is irreversible. And this means that any attempts by politicians to change the course of Ukraine towards Russia will be interpreted solely as a violation of the Constitution of Ukraine. This will make impossible the rematch of pro-Russian political parties. This is the historic decision for the whole of Ukraine and it is not aimed at individuals or political parties. The changes in the Constitution concern the State of Ukraine, European identity, the desire of our people to be self-sufficient among other European nations.
- Duties of the President, the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament. The law clearly states that the President will become the guarantor of the implementation of the state’s strategic course towards membership in the EU and NATO. The government will ensure the implementation of this course. And the parliament should adopt precisely those draft legislation that will contribute to the implementation of the strategic course of Ukraine for gaining membership in the EU and NATO.
- Russian troops will no longer have the legal right to remain in Ukrainian military bases. The clause on “using existing military bases on the territory of Ukraine for a temporary stay of foreign military formations” will be excluded from the Constitution. This refers mainly to the Russian fleet on the territory of the Crimean peninsula.