Ukraine must not join any collective security organization, says president

"Ukraine needs to think of other ways of maintaining national security instead of choosing which existing collective security system to join," Yanukovych said at a ceremony marking the 18th anniversary of the Ukrainian Security Council.

"To join any collective security organization could upset the balance of forces inside Ukraine and in Europe," he said. "As a reliable country, Ukraine will seek other ways to guaranteeing national security and cooperations with the international military organization," he added.

But this does not at all mean that Ukraine is distancing itself from efforts to stabilize the situation in Europe, he also said.

"Ukraine must actively join the discussion on ways to develop a new European security policy. We need to develop our own security system," he added; Kazinform cites Xinhua.