Ukraine signs historic trade pact with EU as Moscow warns of consequences
The EU-Ukraine trade pact that helped lead to the current crisis was signed today. Russia, antagonistic over the idea of closer Ukraine integration with Europe, warned of consequences.
The EU-Ukraine trade pact that helped lead to the current crisis was signed today. Russia, antagonistic over the idea of closer Ukraine integration with Europe, warned of consequences.
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Ukraine signed a sweeping trade and economic integration agreement with the European Union today, over heavy opposition from Russia and segments of the country's own population.
Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign the deal last November sparked mass protests in Kiev and other cities, leading to his ouster. The Russian response to the loss of the pro-Moscow leader was to seize and annex Ukraine's Crimean peninsula region and to support separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, where the proportion of Russian-speakers is highest.
While many of Ukraine's Western-looking citizens may be hoping that increased trade with the EU will herald a new era of stability and prosperity, Russia wasn't delicate about threatening fresh action against the country and its new President Petro Poroshenko. Ahead of the signing, Sergei Glazyev, a senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, called Mr. Poroshenko's new administration a "clear Nazi government" and compared it to Frankenstein's monster, saying Europe would come to regret closer ties with Kiev.聽
Though a spokesman for Mr. Putin said Mr. Glazyev's Nazi comments didn't represent the government's official position, the government did issue a threat, with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin promising "grave consequences" over the trade deal, which also includes Moldova and Georgia.
Putin, meanwhile, is still hoping to help eastern separatists get a seat at the table to remake Ukraine's government, table to remake Ukraine's government, The Associated Press reports. Poroshenko was elected last month.
Steve Rosenberg with the BBC in Moscow explains why Moscow finds improving trade ties between former Soviet states and the EU so disturbing.
About 420 people have died in fighting in eastern Ukraine this year, with rebels wielding surface-to-air missiles taking down government helicopters. The New York Times reports that more violence may be a response to the signing today, which fulfilled a campaign promise of Poroshenko, who made a fortune in the candy business before entering politics.