The FINANCIAL — Ukraine's relations with NATO will remain unchanged, President Viktor Yanukovych said on March 1, according to RIA Novosti.
He also said the former Soviet republic would maintain its partnership with NATO, adding that Ukraine's neutral status would be unaltered.
Yanukovych said earlier this week his administration would not continue with former president Viktor Yushchenko's bid to take Ukraine into NATO, and would prioritize long-established relations with Russia and other former Soviet states.
Yushchenko's attempt to take Ukraine into NATO was strongly backed by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush.
But despite Washington's enthusiasm, it was turned down at a 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest due to pressure from Germany and France, who were concerned that the move would antagonize Russia. However, NATO has stated that the country could join at an unspecified date in the future.
Opinion polls conducted in Ukraine show that the majority of people are against the country's accession to NATO.
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