KYIV (AP) – U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Poland and Czech Republic threaten Ukraine’s national security, parliament said in a resolution passed Thursday.
The nonbinding measure was approved by 243 lawmakers in the 450-seat Verkhovna Rada and backed by the coalition led by Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych’s pro-Russian party. Pro-Western parties allied with President Viktor Yushchenko, meanwhile, refused to vote in protest.
The United States has proposed placing a radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 missile interceptors in Poland to counter what it says is the growing threat of an attack from Iran. The proposal has been denounced by Russia, whose strong objections have raised concerns in Ukraine.
U.S. experts traveled to Ukraine last week to explain the proposal and on Thursday, lawmakers heard reports from the ex-Soviet republic’s defense and foreign ministries.
Deputy Defense Minister Leonid Polyakov said Ukraine would not enter discussions with Washington about placing any part of the system on Ukrainian soil.
Lawmakers led by Yanukovych’s party, however, appeared unconvinced, passing the resolution that said the U.S. plans “would threaten Ukraine’s national security (and) the lives of millions of its citizens.” The Ukrainian government has said it is still studying the plans.
