For a long time, European leaders have been trying to convince Moscow that Ukraine will receive only economic benefits from the agreement and will further be able to maintain good relations with Russia.
However, the fact that the "association" includes not only a free-trade agreement, but also participation in the EU's defense policy demonstrates a serious security challenge to Moscow, the newspaper wrote.
According to the newspaper, the European Union is pursuing policy directed against Russia amid NATO's eastward expansion.
Now, in light of the desire of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to move closer to NATO, the situation is becoming increasingly tense. Moscow views the expansion of NATO and the possible entry of Ukraine into the Western alliance as a threat to its own security.
Rapprochement of the Ukrainian government with the Western military alliance is therefore a serious challenge to the already fragile world peace, the article said. The only reasonable course of action for Ukraine at the moment would be to pursue political and military neutrality, DWN concluded.
