President: No alternative to NATO and EU

"Today, when the Russian aggressor violates the norms and rules established in the world cynically and boldly, Ukraine has no alternative to the movement towards NATO for the protection and preservation of its territorial integrity," President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko noted in his congratulations on the occasion of the NATO’s 70th anniversary published on Facebook.

The Head of State reminded that the civilized world had united to create the North Atlantic Alliance 70 years ago, and over the years the Alliance has proved that it stands for peace, stability and human dignity.

In addition, he said, NATO has also proved to be the strongest and most effective team of like-minded people as nothing has ever posed a threat to the Allies.

Ukraine remains a reliable partner of NATO in building a common and safe future, the President assured.

"For all these years, Ukraine has been moving towards the North Atlantic Alliance confidently. We have created a new Ukrainian army from scratch. The region and the world now respect this army. Already today, we are actually the Alliance's eastern flank both in terms of weapons, experience, and standards," the Head of State emphasized.

Poroshenko noted that Ukrainians are ready to undertake the long-awaited commitment and start to implement the NATO Membership Action Plan.

"I believe that the NATO summit in London is precisely the occasion for the Allies to do justice to Ukraine's contribution to the defense of the Euro-Atlantic community and begin a practical debate on granting our country the MAP. Believing in this, I sign today the regular Annual National Programme of NATO-Ukraine Partnership," Poroshenko added.

Ukraine has no alternatives to NATO and the EU, we do not plan to stop, and we will move further confidently, the President underscored.

ol