Russia criticizes U.S. bill on Ukraine, Georgia's NATO membership

Russia on Tuesday criticized a U.S. bill that will allow military aid to Ukraine and Georgia and strengthen their ties with NATO.

The bill has been turned into law after signed by President George W. Bush earlier that day.

"Such moves do not contribute to the political stabilization in Ukraine within the constitutional framework," the Itar-Tass quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying.

The law regarded Ukraine, Caucasus nation Georgia and the Balkan countries of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia as eligible for military assistance under a NATO Participation Act.

The aid is for the current budget year, which ends next Sept. 30.

"We should not forget that the question of Ukraine's NATO membership brought about the current crisis," Kamynin said.

Source: Xinhua