Ukraine suspends EU trade deal, plans to renew Russia ties

EUObserver, Euronews and other news sources reported that Ukraine announced on the 21 November 2013 that it would not sign a strategic EU treaty at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, 28-29 November 2013. Ukraine blamed the move on Russian pressure.

Ukraine proposed instead the creation of a new EU-Russia-Ukraine 'trade commission' to promote economic ties.

EU and US officials suggested that Ukraine was unlikely to get International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid after its decision.

On the 24 November 2013 more than 100,000 people in the Ukrainian capital Kiev protested against the government's move by their government. Opposition leaders joined the protest, said to be the largest since the Orange Revolution in 2004. Ukrainian police have used tear gas in the clashes with pro-EU activists.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU gives up hope on Ukraine deal at Vilnius summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-gives-up-hope-on-ukraine-deal-at-vilnius-summit/

EUObserver, 21.11.13: Ukraine pulls the plug on EU treaty http://euobserver.com/foreign/122190

ESO: Background information: Third Eastern Partnership Summit, Vilnius, 28-29 November 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/third-eastern-partnership-summit-vilnius-28-29-november-2013/

BBC News, 21.11.13: Ukraine's parliament rejects crucial Tymoshenko bill http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25032275

Deutsche Welle, 21.11.13: Ukraine scraps plan to sign historic pact with European Union http://dw.de/p/1AM3Z

Spiegel Online International, 21.11.13: Tymoshenko Stays: Ukraine Halts Plan to Sign EU Trade Deal http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/ukrainian-parliament-votes-against-bills-to-release-tymoshenko-a-934887.html

RIA Novosti, 21.11.13: Ukraine Ditches Plans for EU Deal, Turns to Russia http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131121/184845623/Ukraine-Rejects-Laws-to-Free-Tymoshenko-Jeopardises-EU-Deal.html

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 21.11.13: Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Ukraine http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2013/131121_04_en.pdf

KyivPost: Tag: EU-Ukraine relations http://www.kyivpost.com/hot/eu-ukraine-relations/

EurActiv, 22.11.13: Ukraine stuns EU by putting association deal on ice http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/ukraine-stuns-eu-putting-associa-news-531873

Lithuania: EU Presidency: Press Release, 21.11.13: Statement of Foreign Minister of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius on Decision of Ukrainian Government http://www.eu2013.lt/en/news/statements/statement-of-foreign-minister-of-lithuania-linas-linkevicius-on-decision-of-ukrainian-government

Reuters, 21.11.13: Ukraine drops plan to go West, turns East http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/21/us-ukraine-eu-idUSBRE9AK0S220131121

ESO: Background information: Ukraine on the way to reform (Special reports) http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-on-the-way-to-reform-special-reports/

BBC News, 22.11.13: Ukraine opposition mass rally in Kiev over snub to EU http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25050202

Deutsche Welle, 22.11.13: Russian threats block Ukraine-EU trade deal http://dw.de/p/1AMAe

EUObserver, 22.11.13: EU and US warn Ukraine it risks going bust http://euobserver.com/foreign/122201

ESO: Background information: Ukraine puts creditors’ nerves to the test http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-puts-creditors-nerves-to-the-test/

Ukrayinska Pravda, Gazeta Wyborcza, SME & 4 others, 22.11.13: Europe loses the battle for the Ukraine (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/press-review/4344161-europe-loses-battle-ukraine

Euronews, 22.11.13: Ukraine: thousands gather in Kyiv for pro-EU rally http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/22/ukraine-thousands-gather-in-kyiv-for-pro-eu-rally/

BBC News, 24.11.13; Huge Ukraine rally over EU agreement delay http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25078952

EurActiv, 25.11.13: Huge demonstration in Kyiv in support of EU pact http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/huge-demonstration-kyiv-demands-news-531924

EurActiv, 22.11.13: Opposition leader: Yanukovych traded Ukraine’s EU future for $20 billion http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/opposition-leader-yanykovich-tra-news-531902

BBC News, 25.11.13: Ukraine protest: Police clash with pro-EU crowd in Kiev http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25085790

Spiegel Online International, 25.11.13: World from Berlin: Ukraine's Complaints Are 'Insolent' http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-press-ukraine-influenced-by-russian-pressure-and-corruption-a-935083.html

EUObserver, 25.11.13: EU and Ukraine: What went wrong? http://euobserver.com/foreign/122218

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 12.12.13: It is far from certain that joining the Eurasian Customs Union would offer Ukraine the kind of benefits being predicted by Russia http://bit.ly/JfCz1T

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