Ukraine 's stated national policy is Euro-Atlantic integration , with the European Union . Ukraine has a " Distinctive Partnership " with NATO ( see Enlargement of NATO ) and has been an active participant in Partnership for Peace exercises and in peacekeeping in the Balkans . This close relationship with NATO has been most apparent in Ukrainian cooperation and combined peacekeeping operations with its neighbor Poland in Kosovo . Ukrainian servicemen also serve under NATO command in Iraq , Afghanistan and in Operation Active Endeavour . Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych considered the level of co-operation between Ukraine and NATO sufficient . His predecessor Viktor Yushchenko had asked for Ukrainian membership by early 2008 . During the 2008 Bucharest summit NATO declared that Ukraine will become a member of NATO whenever it wants and when it meets the criteria for accession . Former Ukrainian President Yanukovych opted to keep Ukraine a non-aligned state . This materialized on June 3 , 2010 when the Ukrainian parliament excluded , with 226 votes , the goal of " integration into Euro-Atlantic security and NATO membership " from the country 's national security strategy . Amid the Euromaidan unrest , Yanukovych fled Ukraine in February 2014
2008 Bucharest summit
2008 Bucharest summit
Armed Forces of Ukraine