NATO's secretary general hopes to "work closely" with Ukrainian president-elect Viktor Yanukovych, dpa cited the alliance's top official as saying in a statement today. "On behalf of NATO, I warmly congratulate Viktor Yanukovych on his election as president of Ukraine. The elections were free, fair and democratic, and an example for the region," Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. "NATO is committed to deepening our strategic partnership with Ukraine, including by assisting, where possible, Ukraine's reform efforts, and I personally look forward to working closely with President Yanukovych," the statement said. Yanukovych's predecessor as president, Viktor Yushchenko, took his country on a strongly pro-Western course during his five years in office, pushing for NATO membership and seriously angering Russia. During Yushchenko's term, NATO set up a special council with Ukraine to coordinate cooperation, improve their ties and help Ukraine reform its Soviet-era military. Ukrainian soldiers are scheduled to join NATO's rapid-reaction force, a trouble-shooting standby group of soldiers held ready to deal with any sudden military or civilian crisis, in June. It would be the first time that a non-NATO member has supplied troops to the force. Yanukovych is seen as much less pro-NATO than Yushchenko. Analysts said that he was likely to scale back contacts with the alliance and push instead for better relations with the European Union and Russia.
