Editing Foreign relations of Ukraine (section)

==Western relations==
[[Ukraine]] considers Euro-Atlantic integration its primary foreign policy objective, but in practice balances its relationship with Europe and the United States while attempting to sever its considerable ties to Russia. The [[European Union]]'s Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Ukraine went into force on March 1, 1998. The European Union (EU) has encouraged Ukraine to implement the PCA fully before discussions begin on an association agreement. The EU Common Strategy toward Ukraine, issued at the EU Summit in December 1999 in [[Helsinki]], recognizes Ukraine's long-term aspirations but does not discuss association.<ref name=":3">[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67901/ Ukraine makes it official: Nation will abandon plans to join NATO], [[Kyiv Post]] (May 28, 2010)</ref>

On January 31, 1992, Ukraine joined the then-Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (now the [[Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe]]—OSCE), and on March 10, 1992, it became a member of the [[North Atlantic Cooperation Council]]. Ukraine also has a close relationship with [[NATO]] and has declared interest in eventual membership. It is the most active member of the [[Partnership for Peace]] (PfP). Former President [[Viktor Yushchenko]] indicated that he supports Ukraine joining the EU in the future. Plans for Ukrainian membership to NATO were shelved by Ukraine following the [[2010 Ukrainian presidential election]] in which [[Viktor Yanukovych]] was elected [[Ukrainian President|President]].<ref name=":3" />

Yanukovych opted to keep Ukraine a non-aligned state.<ref name="glo">[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/ukraine/2010/ukraine-100213-rianovosti02.htm Yanukovych opens door to Russian navy keeping base in Ukraine] GlobalSecurity.org Retrieved on March 9, 2010</ref> This materialized on June 3, 2010 when the [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukrainian parliament]] (Verkhovna Rada) excluded, with 226 votes, the goal of "integration into Euro-Atlantic security and NATO membership" from the country's national security strategy giving the country a non-aligned status.<ref name="result of Russia">[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241388.html Ukraine has no alternative to Euro-Atlantic integration – Ukraine has no alternative to Euro-Atlantic integration – Poroshenko], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (23 December 2014)<br />[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/241359.html Ukraine abolishes its non-aligned status – law], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (23 December 2014)<br />[http://www.euronews.com/2014/12/23/ukraine-s-complicated-path-to-nato-membership/ Ukraine's complicated path to NATO membership], [[Euronews]] (23 December 2014)<br />[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/world/europe/ukraine-parliament-nato-vote.html?_r=1 Ukraine Takes Step Toward Joining NATO], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (23 December 2014)<br />[https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-ends-nonaligned-status-earning-quick-rebuke-from-russia-1419339226 Ukraine Ends ‘Nonaligned’ Status, Earning Quick Rebuke From Russia], [[The Wall Street journal]] (23 December 2014)</ref><ref name=radanonato>[http://euobserver.com/24/30212 Ukraine drops NATO membership bid], [[EUobserver]] (June 6, 2010)</ref> "[[Ukraine and the European Union|European integration]]" has remained part of Ukraine's national security strategy and co-operation with NATO was not excluded.<ref name=radanonato/>

Ukraine then considered relations with NATO as a partnership.<ref name=NATOlove>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/67830/ Yanukovych: Ukraine currently not ready to join NATO], [[Kyiv Post]] (May 27, 2010)</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/113232/ Yanukovych: Ukraine positively evaluates level of relations with NATO], [[Kyiv Post]] (September 21, 2011)</ref> Ukraine and NATO continued to hold joint seminars and joint tactical and strategical exercises.<ref name=securityexer>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/124954/ Ukraine, NATO to hold security exercises during Euro 2012], [[Kyiv Post]] (26 March 2012)</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/politics/detail/126344/ Yanukovych approves program of Ukraine–NATO cooperation for 2012], [[Kyiv Post]] (20 April 2012)</ref> After February 2014's [[Revolution of Dignity|Yanukovych ouster]] and the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russian annexation of Crimea]], the nation has renewed its drive for NATO membership.<ref name="result of Russia"/> On 23 December 2014 the Verkhovna Rada abolished, with 303 votes, Ukraine's non-aligned status.<ref name="result of Russia"/>

[[File:Diplomatic missions of Ukraine.png|thumb|Diplomatic missions of Ukraine]]