Ukraine Hiring Rasmussen Masks ‘Disturbing Submission Project’ – MEP

The recent appointment of former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen as Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s non-staff adviser is Ukraine’s project aimed to show obedience to the European Union, French member of the European Parliament Edouard Ferrand told Sputnik on Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On May 27, Poroshenko announced on his website the appointment of Rasmussen as his personal adviser. The ex-NATO head pledged to boost Ukraine’s ties with the bloc, among other measures.

"The appointment of [former NATO head Anders Fogh] Rasmussen masks a disturbing submission project. Reflecting its policy towards the European Union, the Ukrainian government continues its headlong rush to integrate even more into supranational structures," Ferrand, who is also a member of the National Front party, said.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko said last year that his country plans to implement the Association Agreement with the European Union and meet the requirements to apply for membership to the bloc within 5 years.

During Ramussen's post as the NATO chief, the alliance suspended practical civilian and military cooperation with Russia amid strained relations over the Ukrainian crisis, with the alliance accusing Moscow of involvement in the conflict — a claim that Moscow has repeatedly denied.