"If we abandon Ukraine it will turn East" Poles tell the EU

In an attempt to halt the increasing influence of Russia over Ukraine, Prime Minister Marek Belka has turned to European Union member states to be granted permission to promise Ukraine will be given a place within the EU structures. According to Polish sources, Ukraine needs a European vision which will help it transform itself into a modern Western-orientated state. "Otherwise the country will do the opposite," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Bogusław Majewski. Poland wants to see the creation of the post of a new commissioner which would be responsible for further EU expansion and would push for Ukraine's interests in Brussels. The only two countries which have declared interest in such a move is Great Britain and Italy. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A6) A.K.