Putin says Ukraine under no obligation to join customs union / EU asks Ukraine to clarify its intentions / Ukraine deal no threat to Russia, says EU

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Series Details 12.12.13
Publication Date 12/12/2013
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President Vladimir Putin delivered Russia’s state of the nation address on the 12 December 2013. He discussed both the role of Russia in the world and challenges facing Russia internally.

He also expressed optimism that a political solution could be found to the crisis in neighboring Ukraine. He also denied putting any pressure on Ukraine to join a customs union with Russia.

On 12 December 2013, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle met with Ukrainian deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov in Brussels to discuss ways towards the signature and implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. For this purpose, they agreed that on a basis of a clear commitment of Ukraine to sign the Association Agreement they will:

(1) prepare a roadmap for implementation of the AA/DCFTA

(2) facilitate and continue supporting Ukraine in its endeavours to create the necessary conditions conducive to reaching an arrangement with the IMF

(3) use the existing bilateral consultation mechanisms, which will examine swiftly in depth all issues related to the implementation of the AA/DCFTA.

However subsequently, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle announced the suspension of talks. 'Work on hold', he tweeted, adding that he had told Mr Arbuzov that Ukraine needed to show a 'clear commitment to sign'.

Deutsche Welle on 13 December 2013 reported that the three main opposition leaders Vitali Klitschko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and Oleg Tyangybok agreed to attend talks with President Yanukovych aimed at resolving the political crisis.

Approximately, 200,000 people rallied in Kiev on the 15 December 2013 to protest against President Yanukovych's refusal to sign a landmark EU deal. Protesters expressed concern at the news that Ukraine and Russia planned further talks on the 17 December 2013 to agree on Russian gas prices and resume talks about a three-party gas consortium to manage Ukraine’s pipeline network.

A smaller pro-government protest also took place.

Also on the 15 December 2013, the European Commission announced it was halting work on a landmark trade and political pact with Ukraine, while details emerged of the sanctions the United States and the EU would impose on President Viktor Yanukovich and oligarchs if there was a crackdown on demonstrators.

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The Independent, 12.12.13: President Vladimir Putin hails Russia's 'defence of traditional values' in his state of the nation speech http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/president-vladimir-putin-hails-russias-defence-of-traditional-values-in-his-state-of-the-nation-speech-9001470.html
RIA Novosti, 12.12.13: Development of Far East, Siberia 'National Priority' – Putin http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131212/185496942/Development-of-Far-East-Siberia-National-Priority--Putin.html
European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/1146: EU-Ukraine: Association Agreement is an offer to the country and its people http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-1146_en.pdf
EurActiv, 13.12.13: EU asks Ukraine to clarify its intentions http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/eu-asks-ukraine-clarify-intentio-news-532335
EUObserver, 13.12.13: EU and Ukraine drift further apart despite new talks http://euobserver.com/foreign/122455
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Deutsche Welle, 16.12.13: Kyiv protests: 'No agreements with Russia!' http://dw.de/p/1Aa7M
RIA Novosti, 15.12.13: Ukraine Sees More Major Rallies as Political Stalemate Persists http://en.ria.ru/world/20131215/185581972/Ukraine-Sees-More-Major-Rallies-as-Political-Stalemate-Persists.html
RIA Novosti, 16.12.13: Ukraine Plans to Agree on Russian Gas Price This Week - PM http://en.ria.ru/world/20131216/185588112/Ukraine-Plans-to-Agree-on-Russian-Gas-Price-This-Week---PM.html
EurActiv, 16.12.13: EU stops work on Ukraine pact, Washington pushes for sanctions http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/eu-stops-work-ukraine-pact-usa-p-news-532368
EUObserver, 16.12.13: EU commissionner's nerves 'snap' on Ukraine http://euobserver.com/foreign/122483
Deutsche Welle, 15.12.13: Ukraine protesters hold rival rallies in Kyiv http://dw.de/p/1Aa2b
Spiegel Online International, 13.12.13: Ukraine Protests: Kiev Makes U-Turn on EU Association Deal http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ukraine-protests-kiev-makes-u-turn-on-eu-association-deal-a-938933.html
Euro|Topics, 13.12.13: Putin the peaceable http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2013-12-13-Putin-the-peaceable
RIA Novosti, 15.12.13: EU Officials Controversial About Future of Ukraine Trade Deal http://en.ria.ru/world/20131215/185578246/EU-Suspends-Work-with-Ukraine-on-Trade-Deal--Official.html
Blog: OdessaTalk, 16.12.13: EU suspends Association work with Gov Ukraine http://www.odessatalk.com/2013/12/eu-suspends-association-work-gov-ukraine/
EU: EEAS: Press Release, 16.12.13: Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton following the Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels, 16th December, 2013 http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2013/131216_04_en.pdf
BBC News, 16.12.13: Ukraine deal no threat to Russia, says EU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25406398
EUObserver, 16.12.13: EU-Russia relations at low ebb, despite 'humour' http://euobserver.com/foreign/122497

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