Ukraine leader to go to EU summit, but not ready to sign pact

  • Thread starter World News Headlines -
  • Start date
W

World News Headlines -

Guest
By Natalia Zinets and Richard Balmforth KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said on Tuesday he would attend an EU summit this week, but, criticizing the bloc for a 'humiliating' financial aid offer, declared he would sign a free trade pact only when it suited Ukraine's interests. Shifting Ukraine's economy onto European standards would require not less than $20 billion per year, he said in a television interview. Yanukovich's government announced last week it had shelved plans to sign a landmark pact with the European Union at the summit in Lithuania's capital, stunning EU leaders and igniting pro-Europe rallies in the former Soviet republic. Ukraine's decision to renew instead closer economic cooperation with Moscow revived Western fears of a swing back into Russia's sphere of influence.

Continue reading...
 

Attachments

  • cfff535513546fe5afeea9531b84d14a.jpg
    cfff535513546fe5afeea9531b84d14a.jpg
    4.8 KB · Views: 13
Back
Top