Ukraine aligns with Russia shocking European Union in trade and political agreement
The Ukraine notes “national security” in its decision to reject a trade deal with the European Union and strengthen ties with Moscow.
“This is a disappointment not just for the EU but, we believe, for the people of Ukraine,” EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement, claiming that “the most ambitious” pact ever offered to a partner by the EU would have helped the country’s economy.
The decree signed by Prime Minister Mykola Azarov’s government on Thursday orders the “halt of the process of preparing the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.”
Ukraine’s prime minister put it down to economic pragmatism, and sought to keep alive the idea of strategic ties with the EU in the future.
“The decision the government has made is based on economic reasons,” Nikolai Azarov told parliament on Friday, a day after he stunned many by rejecting the deal. “It is of a tactical character and does not change our strategic objectives.”
It was Ukraine’s “sovereign right to make a decision which path she wants to follow,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said.