EU and Ukraine suspend historic trade pact

Report of the outcome of a trilateral ministerial meeting on the impact of the EU-Ukraine free trade part took place in Brussels on the 12 September 2014 between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the European Commission.

EUObserver reported the surprise news that Ukraine and the EU were to delay the entry into life of the landmark free trade treaty for more than one year to 31 December 2015 due to Russian concerns.

However, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that the Association Agreement would still be ratified by both sides on the 15 September 2014 and come into force on the 1 November 2014, although there would be some further detailed norms to fix after that date.

The European and Ukrainian parliaments ratified the association agreement simultaneously on the 16 September 2014 and met Russian dissatisfaction concerning some of its implications to its economy and to the undergoing conflict in Ukraine.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: SPEECH/14/595: Statement by President Barroso following his meeting with Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-595_en.htm

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

ESO: Background information: Joint conclusions of the EU-Russian Federation-Ukraine ministerial meeting on the effects of implementation of the EU-Ukraine AA/DCFTA http://www.europeansources.info/record/joint-conclusions-of-the-eu-russian-federation-ukraine-ministerial-meeting-on-the-effects-of-implementation-of-the-eu-ukraine-aa-dcfta/

European Commission: DG Trade: Policy: Countries and regions: Ukraine http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/ukraine/

Ukraine: President: News: Current events, 12.09.14: President: No changes to the Association Agreement will be made http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/niyakih-zmin-do-tekstu-ugodi-pro-asociaciyu-ukrayini-z-yes-v-33685

RIA Novosti, 12.09.14: Russia, Ukraine, EU Reach Compromise on Kiev's European Integration http://en.ria.ru/business/20140912/192893602/Russia-Ukraine-EU-Reach-Compromise-on-Kievs-European-Integration.html

Deutsche Welle, 13.09.14: Opinion: Brussels yields to Moscow http://dw.de/p/1DBsJ

European Commission: RAPID: STATEMENT/14/276: Joint Ministerial Statement on the Implementation of the EU-Ukraine AA/DCFTA http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-276_en.htm

European Commission: RAPID: Speech, SPEECH/14/598: Working together for a united Ukraine in a united continent http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-598_en.htm

Duma, 15.09.14: EU and Ukraine don't want free trade (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE150363-EU-and-Ukraine-don-t-want-free-trade

RIA Novosti, 15.09.14: EU Association Deal Submitted to Ukraine’s Parliament for Ratification http://en.ria.ru/world/20140915/192951870/EU-Association-Deal-Submitted-to-Ukraines-Parliament-for.html

RIA Novosti, 15.09.14: Medvedev: Russia’s Obligations to EU, Kiev Require Legal Status http://en.ria.ru/world/20140915/192952396/Medvedev-Russias-Obligations-to-EU-and-Kiev-Require-Legal-Status.html

EurActiv, 15.09.14: Russia slams Washington for fuelling Ukraine crisis http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/russia-slams-usa-fuelling-division-ukraine-and-eu-308432

EUObserver, 15.09.14: Nato starts exercise in west Ukraine, weapons deliveries http://euobserver.com/foreign/125614

BBC News, 14.09.14: Nato members 'start arms deliveries to Ukraine' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29198497

European Commission: RAPID: STATEMENT/14/279: President Barroso's call with President Putin http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-279_en.htm

Euronews, 16.09.14: EU and Ukraine parliaments hail “historic” treaty http://www.euronews.com/2014/09/16/eu-and-ukraine-parliaments-hail-historic-treaty/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 16.09.14: Historic vote: EU–Ukraine agreement approved simultaneously in Strasbourg and Kiev http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140916STO63211/

Ukraine: President: News: Current events, 16.09.14: President about ratification of the Association Agreement: Europe brings Ukraine to the large path of progress http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/yevropa-vivodit-ukrayinu-na-velikij-trakt-progresu-prezident-33699

EurActiv, 16.09.14: As EU, Ukraine ratify pact, doubts over the future of relations grow http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/eu-ukraine-ratify-pact-doubts-over-future-relations-grow-308476

ESO: Background information: Ukraine crisis: Rebels granted self-rule and amnesty http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-crisis-rebels-granted-self-rule-and-amnesty-poroshenko-asks-obama-for-weapons-obtains-blankets/

EUObserver, 16.09.14: Ukraine gives rebels 'special status', ratifies EU treaty http://euobserver.com/foreign/125642

Rzeczpospolita, 16.09.14: Kiev's first step towards Western integration (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE150450-Kiev-s-first-step-towards-Western-integration

Polskie Radio, 16.09.14: EU and Ukraine ratify key treaty http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/181715,EU-and-Ukraine-ratify-key-treaty

European Council: Press Release, PRES/14/470: Joint statement by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, on the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/144889.pdf

European Commission: RAPID: SPEECH/14/601: EU-Ukraine: there is no time to rest http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-601_en.htm

The Conversation, 16.09.14: Restive Ukraine signs EU pact and hands rebels self-rule http://theconversation.com/restive-ukraine-signs-eu-pact-and-hands-rebels-self-rule-31754

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 17.09.14: EU and Ukraine put the seal on association http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER150543-EU-and-Ukraine-put-the-seal-on-association

EurActiv, 18.09.14: Russia demands changes to Ukraine-EU trade deal http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/russia-demands-changes-ukraine-eu-trade-deal-308556

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