Kiev, Sep 25 (IANS): Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko Thursday ordered the cabinet to abandon the non-aligned status of Ukraine, paving the way for the country to join military alliances.
Earlier in the day, the presidential press service published a decree signed by Poroshenko which said "the development of strategic partnership with the United States, the European Union and NATO in particular is a diplomatic priority for Ukraine in 2014 and the following years", Xinhua reported.
According to the decree, the president has instructed the foreign ministry to immediately request a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, NATO's decision-making body, to discuss the "armed aggression against Ukraine".
Ukraine declared its non-aligned status in 2010 after its parliament approved a law that barred the country's membership in any military blocs but allowed cooperation.