Ukraine asks to join NATO membership action plan

KIEV,
Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian leaders have signed a statement asking to join the NATO membership action plan at the forthcoming NATO summit in Bucharest, visiting U.S. senator Richard Lugar said here Tuesday.

"Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Parliamentary Chairman Arseniy Yatsenyuk have signed the statement calling for consideration on Ukraine's entry into the NATO membership action plan at the Bucharest summit," Lugar said.

"The president (Viktor Yushchenko) told me about the news this morning," he added.

Lugar pointed out that the Ukrainian leader's move would stir up discussions in society on the issue of Ukraine's entry into the NATO, which may soon result in holding a referendum on this problem.

"Yushchenko asked U.S. president and other NATO members for supporting Ukraine's efforts on joining the NATO membership action plan at the Bucharest summit," Lugar said.