Ukraine suspends EU trade deal, plans to renew Russia ties

Series Title
Series Details 21.11.13
Publication Date 21/11/2013
Content Type

EUObserver, Euronews and other news sources reported that Ukraine announced on the 21 November 2013 that it would not sign a strategic EU treaty at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, 28-29 November 2013. Ukraine blamed the move on Russian pressure.

Ukraine proposed instead the creation of a new EU-Russia-Ukraine 'trade commission' to promote economic ties.

EU and US officials suggested that Ukraine was unlikely to get International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid after its decision.

On the 24 November 2013 more than 100,000 people in the Ukrainian capital Kiev protested against the government's move by their government. Opposition leaders joined the protest, said to be the largest since the Orange Revolution in 2004. Ukrainian police have used tear gas in the clashes with pro-EU activists.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/21/ukraine-suspends-eu-trade-deal-plans-to-renew-russia-ties/
Related Links
ESO: Background information: EU gives up hope on Ukraine deal at Vilnius summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-gives-up-hope-on-ukraine-deal-at-vilnius-summit/
EUObserver, 21.11.13: Ukraine pulls the plug on EU treaty http://euobserver.com/foreign/122190
ESO: Background information: Third Eastern Partnership Summit, Vilnius, 28-29 November 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/third-eastern-partnership-summit-vilnius-28-29-november-2013/
BBC News, 21.11.13: Ukraine's parliament rejects crucial Tymoshenko bill http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25032275
Deutsche Welle, 21.11.13: Ukraine scraps plan to sign historic pact with European Union http://dw.de/p/1AM3Z
Spiegel Online International, 21.11.13: Tymoshenko Stays: Ukraine Halts Plan to Sign EU Trade Deal http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ukrainian-parliament-votes-against-bills-to-release-tymoshenko-a-934887.html
RIA Novosti, 21.11.13: Ukraine Ditches Plans for EU Deal, Turns to Russia http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131121/184845623/Ukraine-Rejects-Laws-to-Free-Tymoshenko-Jeopardises-EU-Deal.html
EU: EEAS: Press Release, 21.11.13: Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Ukraine http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2013/131121_04_en.pdf
KyivPost: Tag: EU-Ukraine relations http://www.kyivpost.com/hot/eu-ukraine-relations/
EurActiv, 22.11.13: Ukraine stuns EU by putting association deal on ice http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/ukraine-stuns-eu-putting-associa-news-531873
Lithuania: EU Presidency: Press Release, 21.11.13: Statement of Foreign Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius on Decision of Ukrainian Government http://www.eu2013.lt/en/news/statements/statement-of-foreign-minister-of-lithuania-linas-linkevicius-on-decision-of-ukrainian-government
Reuters, 21.11.13: Ukraine drops plan to go West, turns East http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/21/us-ukraine-eu-idUSBRE9AK0S220131121
ESO: Background information: Ukraine on the way to reform (Special reports) http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-on-the-way-to-reform-special-reports/
BBC News, 22.11.13: Ukraine opposition mass rally in Kiev over snub to EU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25050202
Deutsche Welle, 22.11.13: Russian threats block Ukraine-EU trade deal http://dw.de/p/1AMAe
EUObserver, 22.11.13: EU and US warn Ukraine it risks going bust http://euobserver.com/foreign/122201
ESO: Background information: Ukraine puts creditors’ nerves to the test http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-puts-creditors-nerves-to-the-test/
Ukrayinska Pravda, Gazeta Wyborcza, SME & 4 others, 22.11.13: Europe loses the battle for the Ukraine (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/press-review/4344161-europe-loses-battle-ukraine
Euronews, 22.11.13: Ukraine: thousands gather in Kyiv for pro-EU rally http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/22/ukraine-thousands-gather-in-kyiv-for-pro-eu-rally/
BBC News, 24.11.13; Huge Ukraine rally over EU agreement delay http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25078952
EurActiv, 25.11.13: Huge demonstration in Kyiv in support of EU pact http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/huge-demonstration-kyiv-demands-news-531924
EurActiv, 22.11.13: Opposition leader: Yanukovych traded Ukraine’s EU future for $20 billion http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/opposition-leader-yanykovich-tra-news-531902
BBC News, 25.11.13: Ukraine protest: Police clash with pro-EU crowd in Kiev http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25085790
Spiegel Online International, 25.11.13: World from Berlin: Ukraine's Complaints Are 'Insolent' http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-press-ukraine-influenced-by-russian-pressure-and-corruption-a-935083.html
EUObserver, 25.11.13: EU and Ukraine: What went wrong? http://euobserver.com/foreign/122218
Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 12.12.13: It is far from certain that joining the Eurasian Customs Union would offer Ukraine the kind of benefits being predicted by Russia http://bit.ly/JfCz1T

Countries / Regions , ,