Eurasia Press & News
The Ukrainian government decided Thursday to suspend preparations for striking historic political and trade agreements with the European Union (EU) due for signature next week.
Ukraine halted the process in the interests of “national security” and would fully analyze the impact of the deals on Ukraine’s economic relations with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) members and Russia, the government said in a decree.
Kiev would “renew active dialogue” with Russia, other members of the Moscow-led Customs Union and the CIS countries, the decree added.
“Ukraine suspended the process until when we find a way to stop the decline in industrial production due to a fall in exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States,” Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Boyko told a press briefing after a cabinet meeting.
The government move came on the heels of the parliament’s rejection of a series of bills that would have satisfied the EU by allowing former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko out of prison to travel toGermany for medical treatment.
Tymoshenko’s imprisonment, viewed by some countries as ” selective justice,” has become a key stumbling block in Ukraine’s bid to integrate with the EU.
