Ukraine is protecting its national interests through its non-aligned status without participating in military alliances, reads the annual state of the nation address of President Viktor Yanukovych to the parliament, the text of which is available to Interfax-Ukraine.
The non-aligned status is the "cornerstone" of the Ukrainian foreign and security policy. "Ukraine views its non-aligned status as the consistent position of defending its national interests without participating in military alliances, which creates the necessary opportunities for the development of mutually beneficial partnership with other states and international organizations in all directions… It’s main objective (that of the non-aligned status) is to create a "security periphery" along the state border of Ukraine," the message reads.
Moreover, through such a policy "Ukraine has an opportunity to ensure its own security via European integration and the continuation of constructive partnership and intensive cooperation with NATO," the document said.
