Kyiv's focus on integration with Europe and partnership with Russia will remain unchanged - ministry

10:35, 25.12.2012 1 min read

The latest reshuffle in the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry will not impact the country's foreign policy, ministry spokesman Oleh Voloshyn told Interfax.

"The country's foreign policy was determined by the president of Ukraine bearing in mind the opinion of the majority of citizens. It means that Ukraine will move gradually toward integration into Europe and will simultaneously promote relations with Russia as partners and based on the principle of equality," he said.

This policy does not depend on the name of the foreign minister, Voloshyn said.

Kostiantyn Hryschenko was relieved of the foreign minister's responsibilities and was appointed to the post of deputy prime minister on Monday.

Hryschenko was replaced by Party of Regions parliamentarian Leonid Kozhara, most recently deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Foreign Affairs Committee.

Both Kozhara and Hryschenko are committed to Ukraine's integration into Europe, Voloshyn said.

"That is why I would not advise supporters of the geopolitical alternative to start to break out the champagne," he said.