Gives Moscow 3 days on Kiev or face sanctions
The European Union on Friday signed association accords with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova as the three former Soviet republics committed themselves to a future in Europe.
Meanwhile, EU leaders gave Russia until Monday to change policy on Ukraine or face the prospect of tougher sanctions. In a statement on Friday, the 28 EU leaders said Moscow had to take four steps, among them clear backing for the Ukraine’s peace plan by June 30.
“This is a great day for Europe... The European Union stands by your side today more than ever before,” European Council head Herman Van Rompuy said at the ceremony with Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Ministers Irakli Garibashvili of Georgia and Iurie leanca of Moldova.
Van said that the accords contained “nothing that might harm Russia in any way” and that they offered all sides the chance “to chart together a safer future.”
EU officials have consistently argued that Russia has no reason to fear the accords, which offer closer political and economic ties, but Moscow has condemned them as harmful to its economic interests and an intrusion into what has traditionally been its sphere of influence.