[citation needed] Currently, Ukraine officially retains a position of neutrality towards recognition of Kosovo as an independent state in order to maintain relations with Serbia.
[3] On 22 February 2008, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Volodymyr Ohryzko, said that Ukraine was "checking all possibilities" on Kosovo recognition but cautioned that the process would "take some time."
[citation needed] Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko stated on 19 February 2008 that Ukraine's position on the situation is to first of all follow national interests and international law.
Tymoshenko noted that Ukraine is holding multilateral diplomatic consultations, with the aim of establishing how Kosovo independence is perceived, which will allow it to determine its stand in this issue.
[6] On 4 December 2008, speaking at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe meeting about separatism that took place in 2008, Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko said that "Ukraine will never make a compromise on question of territorial integrity of any state".