Ukraine's ties with NATO will remain unchanged, President Viktor Yanukovych said on Monday.
He also said the former Soviet republic would maintain its partnership with NATO.
A Ukrainian NATO bid pushed by former president, Viktor Yushchenko, 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.
BRUSSELS, March 1 (RIA Novosti)
