Ukraine's PM Victor Yanukovich has said he advocates a pragmatic approach to co-operation with NATO and Ukraine's active participation in peacekeeping. While on a visit to the U.S., he also called for Ukraine's accession to the WTO.

Mr Yanukovich also pledged his commitment to creating a free trade zone with the European Union. Touching on the energy challenges his country faces, Viktor Yanukovich said Ukraine wanted to increase energy transit from Russia and the Caspian states and become a key player in the European energy market. This demands “stable deliveries of energy to Europe, and Ukraine is going to be a reliable partner in these relations”.

“We will look for alternative sources of energy supply which means diversification,” the Ukrainian prime minister explained. “At the same time we'll be looking for ways whereby we can join efforts of the importers, exporters and transporters”. Mr Yanukovich pointed out that “Ukraine is going to be a reliable partner in these relations”.