Ukraine, after signing the Association Agreement with the EU, can continue to maintain good relations with Russia and other neighboring countries, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the U.S. Department of State Thomas O. Melia has said.

"We want Ukraine to maintain a good relationship with the West, the East and neighboring countries. There's no alternative choice here - to be in Europe or not. Ukraine can continue to have a good relationship with its neighbors as an associated member of the European community, in the same way as Poland, Germany and France do: they have a constructive relationship with Russia," he said in an interview with Ukraine's Channel 5 on Thursday evening.

"You don't have to choose between East and West and choose between a good economic future and a lost chance," Melia said.

When asked whether the United States is afraid that Russian influence on Ukraine will strengthen if the agreement with the EU is not signed, Melia said: "Ukraine is not some toy between East and West, between the United States and Russia, or some other countries. This is a sovereign independent state."