EU slams Russia over Ukraine deal failure

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union openly accused Russia of using unacceptable pressure to keep Ukraine from signing a landmark deal on closer association, Belfast Telegraph reported.

Even though the EU extended its reach eastward by sealing association agreements with Georgia and Moldova, the belated refusal of Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych to sign up to a similar deal largely spoiled the two-day summit with the EU's eastern partners.

And most EU leaders pointed straight at Russia for using threats and bullying to keep Ukraine in step with Moscow.

"We may not give in to external pressure, not the least from Russia," said EU President Herman Van Rompuy in unusual blunt terms after the summit in Vilnius, Lithuaniana.

EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso added that "the times for limited sovereignty are over in Europe," alleging Russia still tried to consider Ukraine as a subservient neighbour.

"There was pressure for sure," French President Francois Hollande said, adding that Ukraine was heavily leaned on, "notably through gas".

In a video released by the Lithuanian presidency, Yanukovych told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that "the economic situation in Ukraine is very difficult," before adding some time later that "I have been one-on-one with Russia for three and a half years under very unequal conditions."

Merkel praised Georgia and Moldova for withstanding similar pressure and still moving westward.

"When you see how, in part, pressure is being exerted on these countries through trade restrictions, then I also simply say that it is a very brave step," Merkel said.

Though the negotiations have been painted as a diplomatic battle royal between Brussels and Moscow with a key eastern European nation of 46 million as the ultimate prize, the EU is insisting everyone would gain.