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Russias foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, who has described Ukraines renunciation of its neutral status as a counterproductive step. Photograph: Sergei Chirikov/EPA

The Ukrainian parliament has renounced the countrys non-aligned status with the aim of eventually joining Nato, to the anger of Moscow, which views the western alliances eastward expansion as a security threat.

Kiev first announced its intention of seeking the protection of Nato membership in August, following what it deemed the open participation of Russias military in a separatist war in Ukraines eastern provinces.

Russias foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, called Ukraines renunciation of its neutral military and political status a counterproductive step that would only boost tensions around the crisis in the east.

It will only escalate the confrontation and creates the illusion that it is possible to resolve Ukraines deep internal crisis by passing such laws, Tass news agency quoted him as saying.

Addressing deputies in Kiev before the vote, the Ukrainian foreign minister said the move underscored the countrys determination to pivot towards Europe and the west. This will lead to integration in the European and the Euro-Atlantic space, Pavlo Klimkin said.

The amendment passed easily, receiving 303 votes 77 more than the minimum required to pass into law.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Russias prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, warned that in essence, an application for Nato membership will turn Ukraine into a potential military opponent for Russia.

Medvedev said that Ukraines rejection of neutrality and a new Russian sanctions law that US President Barack Obama signed on Friday will both have very negative consequences.

And our country will have to respond to them, he wrote.

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Ukraine angers Russia with landmark step towards Nato ...