‘Kiev wants better terms on EU deal’

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov says his country is ready to strike an association agreement with the European Union if the deal offers “favorable” terms.

“We should get normal favorable terms, and then we will sign it,” Russia’s Ria Novosti quoted the Ukrainian premier as saying in an interview with local media on Saturday.

In late November, Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych refrained from signing the Association Agreement with the EU at the third Eastern Partnership Summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.

Yanukovych’s decision triggered angry street protests by the opposition supporters in the capital, Kiev.

The Ukrainian prime minister further pointed to the recent economic and trade deal between Moscow and Kiev, saying that the strategic accord helped Ukraine avert an imminent threat of economic and social collapse.

On December 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after trade talks with his Ukrainian counterpart in Moscow that the Kremlin would invest USD 15 billion from the National Welfare Fund (NWF) in Ukrainian government securities.

Under the deal, Moscow will also reduce the price of gas sold to Ukraine by about one-third, and improve work conditions for Ukrainian nationals in Russia.

Azarov added that his country would spend the first installment of the Russian aid package on social benefits and wages.

“We will become stronger, like in 2011 that was a wonderful year for us. We will then conclude our negotiations with the European Union and sign the agreement. The question is only about the time,” the Ukrainian official stated.

European Union leaders have blamed Russia for Ukraine’s refusal to sign the deal with the bloc, saying they will not allow Moscow to “veto” deals in Eastern Europe.

Moscow has also denounced “overt” Western pressure on Ukraine to choose closer relations with the EU.