Military Budget Disparity Between Ukraine and Russia Deepens Despite US Aid Package
The US Congress has finally approved a long-awaited aid package for Ukraine, totaling nearly 61 billion USD, including military assistance
EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy has described relations between Ukraine and the European Union as “really close” though confirming no deal will be reached at the summit in Vilnius.
At a news conference on Friday, EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the parties were "really close" to signing the association agreement, but added:
"We need to overcome pressure from abroad."
Speaking about Russia, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said it was unacceptable to have "any third-party involvement" in a bilateral agreement negotiated between the EU and another state.
Despite the decision of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich to freeze plans to sign the trade and reform deal, EU leaders have been trying to persuade him to change his mind.
The deal was planned as the highlight of the November 28-29 Eastern Partnership summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, according to reports of the BBC News.
Meanwhile, mass pro-EU protests in Ukraine continue.
The demonstrators oppose the government's decision to halt the signing of the EU agreement.
Earlier this week, Yanukovych dismissed an EU condition for signing the agreement - that former Ukrainian Prime Minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko be freed from jail.
He also requested more EU financial aid.
EU leaders issued a statement expressing their strong disapproval of the pressure exerted by Russia over Ukraine not to sign the deal, while Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the EU of "blackmail" against Ukraine.
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Turkey has thrown its support behind outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte for the position of NATO Secretary General,
The US Congress has finally approved a long-awaited aid package for Ukraine, totaling nearly 61 billion USD, including military assistance
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has issued a compelling call for the expedited integration of candidate countries from the Western Balkans into the European Union
Ukrainian forces have undertaken a strategic withdrawal to new positions in at least three key area
French President Emmanuel Macron has ignited controversy by calling for France's nuclear arsenal to be integrated into the European defense discourse
In a candid interview with German media, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko has lambasted the Ukrainian government for its perceived inadequacies in combating corruption within the country
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