EU deal signed with Moldova and Georgia but refused by Ukraine
- 11 years ago
A ceremonial photograph may be the only souvenir that Ukraine takes home from the EU summit in Vilnius.
Although Moldova and Georgia have signed deals with Europe, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich staunchly refuses to join in.
When asked what Russia had offered to counter the EU deal, he answered that “talks were still ongoing” and that it was “important that this pause opens up new opportunities” for his country.
Yanukovich had called the EU’s earlier offer of 600 million euros in aid “humiliating”. But it appears European leaders are growing tired of playing the bargaining game.
“If Mr Yanukovich thinks that the European Union should give him money, he should become very concrete and ask how much and in which way and under which circumstances,” said European Parliament President Martin Schulz. He went on: “Obviously, he made a deal with the Russian Federation to get money because he needs money and to get cheap gas, because he needs cheap gas.”
EU leaders may be doing some soul-searching concerning their response to Russia’s strategy to keep Ukraine within its sphere of influence.
Although Moldova and Georgia have signed deals with Europe, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich staunchly refuses to join in.
When asked what Russia had offered to counter the EU deal, he answered that “talks were still ongoing” and that it was “important that this pause opens up new opportunities” for his country.
Yanukovich had called the EU’s earlier offer of 600 million euros in aid “humiliating”. But it appears European leaders are growing tired of playing the bargaining game.
“If Mr Yanukovich thinks that the European Union should give him money, he should become very concrete and ask how much and in which way and under which circumstances,” said European Parliament President Martin Schulz. He went on: “Obviously, he made a deal with the Russian Federation to get money because he needs money and to get cheap gas, because he needs cheap gas.”
EU leaders may be doing some soul-searching concerning their response to Russia’s strategy to keep Ukraine within its sphere of influence.