Ukraine's Strategic Cooperation with Russia Should not Damage Its Relations with the U.S. and the EU

Kyiv, April 7, 2011. Ukraine’s developing its cooperation with Russia will not bear a negative impact on the country’s relations with the EU and the US, stated Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych in his annual address to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament).

Ukraine sees the U.S. as one of the guarantors of its national security, according to the leader of the state. It was also noted at the address that the development of strategic partnership between Ukraine and Russia could not come at the expense of strategic relations with the EU and the U.S.

Under the provisions of the Budapest Memorandum of 1994, Ukraine considers the United States a guarantor of its national security. Ukraine considers it a high priority to maintain political dialogue in such areas as national security, political and technical military cooperation, cooperation in countering international terrorism and conflict resolution.

Viktor Yanukovych also noted that his country’s partnership with the U.S. in maintaining global security is Ukraine’s consistent position. At the same time, in his annual address the president noted that Ukraine seeks new formats of cooperation with Russia.