KIEV, Ukraine, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Ukraine desires good relations with Russia, but sees its future in Europe, President Viktor Yanukovych said.
"Despite difficulties, the key step has been made: we have finally made up our mind with our future," Yanukovych said. "The European choice has become the basis of Ukraine's foreign political identity, and European values the basis of our development."
Yanukovych made his comments in a column published Friday in the Ukrainian newspaper Zerkalo Nedeli Ukraine.
Yanukovych said he believes Ukraine will be admitted to the European Union within the next decade, RIA Novosti reported. However, Yanukovych said European progress would be impossible "without good, neighborly relations with Russia."
Political experts in Ukraine and elsewhere have warned that Keiv's bid to join the European Union could be clouded by the jailing and impending trial of ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko.
Tymoshenko faces abuse of office charges for signing a gas contract with Russia in 2009.
Ukrainian authorities criticized the deal, saying it shortchanged the country; Tymoshenko said the charges against her are politically motivated.
