(29 May 1997) Russian/Ukranian/Nat
President Yeltsin visited the Ukraine on Thursday, hoping to bolster relations at a time when old allies are moving rapidly towards NATO and the West.
Ukraine has appeared indifferent to the expansion of NATO in recent years - and Russia has worked hard to keep it that way. Moscow has warned repeatedly that it could never tolerate NATO troops just across the border.
But Ukrainian leaders may not be prepared to toe the line in the next decade.
NATO's march eastward seems unstoppable in the wake of the Paris agreement - but there's little chance that these troops will be part of the alliance in the foreseeable future.
But the Ukraine - and its military - are finding their position between NATO and the CIS an increasingly uncomfortable one.
A keen participant in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme, Ukraine initially showed little inclination towards full membership.
But fearful of being left to defend itself in a world of new loyalties, the republic is now negotiating a special relations treaty with the Alliance. Moscow sees that as a first step towards membership and the Ukrainian President has been careful to avoid any increase in the political temperature.
But he has warned that if Yeltsin wants to stop NATO's advance any further eastward, he must reassure former satellites by developing a mature democracy in Russia itself.
SOUNDBITE: (Ukrainian)
"Everyone should look after their own interests. Ukraine's position vis-à-vis NATO is well known and it hasn't changed lately. Ukraine will not be at all affected if one side becomes united with another."
SUPER CAPTION: Leonid Kuchma, Ukrainian President
In the Crimean capital of Sevastopol, a semi-autonomous region of Ukraine and home to the much disputed Black Sea fleet, Russian ships are still moored alongside their Ukrainian counterparts.
In August the Ukrainian part of the fleet will take part in NATO's Operation 'Sea Breeze' off this coast, but not the Russian side.
Moscow has turned down the invitation, annoyed that the Alliance is holding such an exercise so close to its borders.
Ukrainian officers who once took their marching orders from Moscow say Russia has no right to dictate whether they take part in such an exercise or whether they join NATO.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Whatever decision Ukraine takes, whether to join NATO or have a special relations treaty, it's only the business of Ukraine's leadership but not Russia's."
SUPER CAPTION: Anatoly Vershkov, Deputy Commander - Slavutich
A round of recent visits to CIS countries, including Ukraine, by NATO General Secretary Javier Solana, was considered an act of provocation by Russia while it was locked in negotiation with the Alliance over NATO expansion.
Of particular annoyance was the opening in Kiev of NATO's first information centre in the world.
Although hailed by Solana as a way for Ukrainians to understand the workings of the organisation it was perceived by Moscow as a means of encouraging Ukraine to join the Alliance.
Boris Yeltsin's press secretary warned NATO last week that offering membership in future to countries like Ukraine would be very dangerous.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"The position of Russia was relayed to the Western leaders in the most forthright manner. We hope that sensible leaders in the West will not want to play Russian roulette."
SUPER CAPTION: Sergei Yastrzhembsky, Kremlin spokesman
The port is the capital of Crimea which was handed over to Ukraine by Khrushchev despite its predominately Russian population.
SOUNDBITE: ( Russian)
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