Ukrainian presidential candidate Sergiy Tigipko believes Ukraine should maintain its non-bloc status. "I would keep the non-bloc status. The status will not resolve issues relating to Ukraine's defense capability," Tigipko told reporters after the presentation of his election program in Kyiv on April 23.
Tigipko said Ukraine needs to develop its army. “We can’t create anything new. We should copy the positive experience of other countries, with regard for Ukrainian specifics,” he said.
Tigipko also said NATO members will approach Ukraine’s accession to NATO cautiously. “Few of them will be ready to take Ukraine. And Ukraine, for its part, will never give up Crimea,” he said.
