France is calling on Russia to stop intimidating Ukraine because of its intention to join NATO, Pierre Lellouche, a deputy of the French National Assembly (Parliament), former president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, said speaking in an interview with the Radio Liberty.
"I think Russians must stop intimidating Ukraine and turning NATO's issue into a phantom and devil's collusion of the West", he said.
He also considers Russia's actions senseless.
"Let Ukrainians decide themselves", Lellouche noted.
"Russia signed the Charter with NATO and should respect the right of others to make their own choice", he reminded.
"Russia does not have the right to veto NATO's decisions", he added.
The Bucharest summit (Romania) in April faced a traditional split among the USA promoting the idea of Ukraine's joining the NATO Membership Action Plan, and France and Germany, which are keeping a lower profile, he said.
Lellouche himself speaks for Ukraine's joining the NATO Membership Action Plan to facilitate modernization of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
However, he noted, as there is no accord on this issue in Ukraine herself, there is no need to step up the initiative.
As Ukrainian News reported, Russia is striving against Ukraine and Georgia's joining NATO.
Ukraine and Russia are holding consultations on possible consequences of Ukraine's entering to NATO.
Medvedev considers Ukraine and Georgia's alleged membership in NATO harmful for European security.
President Viktor Yuschenko is ready to guarantee Russia that Ukraine's joining the NATO Membership Action Plan will not threaten Russia's security.
