(HELSINKI) - The European Union should clearly signal its support for Ukraine's future membership to prevent it from becoming Russia's next target, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said Wednesday.

"Ukraine could be the next target of political pressure by Russia, whose doctrine on its nearby neighbours is reminiscent of sphere politics," Rehn said in a speech to Finnish ambassadors, a copy of which was obtained by AFP.

"It is important from a stability point of view that the EU sends a clear political signal that Ukraine's integration into the Union is possible if the country continues goal-directed promotion of reforms in line with European values."

He stressed that discussions on Ukraine's membership were not "topical" right now, but "we should not say 'never' to Ukraine."

Rehn added that the pace of Ukrainian reforms could decelerate if it did not see EU membership as an option.

The Georgian conflict served as a reminder that the EU's biggest foreign policy challenge was its relations with its important business partner Russia, he said.

"But we have to acknowledge that Russia used military force against its sovereign neighbour and threatened its democratic government. Russia also cannot stand the idea that NATO would expand to its southern neighbours, so it purposely created tension in the region," he said.

Earlier Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Russia could have its sights set on Ukraine and Moldova after recognising the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

He said such plans would be "very dangerous."

Some analysts speculate that Russian troops might target the southern Ukrainian region of Crimea if President Viktor Yushchenko continues to openly support Tbilisi in the Georgia-Russia conflict and continues to push for NATO membership.

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