ROME, February 12. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine should maintain reasonable cooperation with the European Union and Russia, as well as with the United States, Italian ex-premier Romano Prodi said.

In an interview with Itar-Tass on Wednesday, Prodi said, “Unlike most analysts, I don’t believe that Ukraine should choose between Europe and Russia. Whoever comes to power in Kiev within years it should maintain reasonable balance in relations with Brussels, Moscow and Washington.”

Ukraine should serve a bridge between the East and the West “due to the geopolitical location and historical solid relationship with the Western neighbors, as well as with Russia”, the Italian politician said.

“Ukraine assumes big responsibility for the important historic processes, which make it a bridge between the East and the West. It helps facilitate cooperation between Russia and the EU and strengthen trust,” Prodi said.

Italy’s chairmanship of the European Union is designed to cover up the conflict. “I don’t doubt that traditional excellent relations with Russia will allow Italy to play a mediation role in the settlement of the situation,” Prodi said.