On the margins of the Nonproliferation talks in September 2009 Director of the Department of Arms Control and Military-Technical Cooperation of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexander Nikonenko expressed outrage at the unjust consideration of Ukraine in one category with Belarus and Kazakhstan, as they, in his view, act on orders from Russia.
This became known through WikiLeaks cablegate, posting the correspondence of American diplomats. According to the site, Alexander Nykonenko had three conversations with VCI/SI Deputy Director Neil Couch to clarify Ukraine’s desire to participate in the START Follow-on Treaty and Kiev’s security concerns.
Despite a rocky relationship with Russia, he met with Ambassador Antonov on four occasions and he couldn’t understand why the United States had not offered similar consultations. He’s willing to meet with A/S Gottemoeller at any time or place.
It is reported that Alexander Nykonenko reiterated his offer for Ukraine to play a mediating role between the United States and Russia in START Follow-on, citing past examples in which Ukraine had played such a role in START. Finally, Nykonenko asked that the START Follow-on Treaty contain a preambular statement that singled-out Ukraine’s contribution to START implementation specifically and to nuclear non-proliferation in general.
