EP debatteert over Russische handelsintimidatie van Oekraïne (en)

The EP’s foreign affairs committee has called a special meeting to discuss Russia’s strong-arm tactics to deter Ukraine from signing an association and free-trade agreement with the EU. Russia has warned of further trade restrictions should Ukraine continue to pursue closer ties with its western neighbours. The implications of this strategy will be debated with Ukrainian politicians during the special EP meeting on 28 August. Follow it live on our website.

The situation will be discussed with Vitali Klitschko, leader of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform, and Arseniy Yatsenyuk, head of the Political Council of the Batkivshchyna Party.

Russia wants Ukraine to join the customs union it has with Belarus and Kazakhstan, however this would be incompatible with the EU’s association agreement.

If Ukraine has demonstrated progress on areas such as election law and its justice system, then the association agreement could already be signed as early as 28-29 November during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.

REF. : 20130826STO18102

Updated: ( 27-08-2013 - 14:45)