BBC Online :
EU leaders have signed an agreement on closer relations with Ukraine, in a show of support following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
The EU signed the deal hours after announcing more targeted sanctions.
Pro-Moscow leader Viktor Yanukovych’s abandonment of the deal in November had led to deadly protests, his removal and Russia taking over Crimea.
On Friday, Russia’s upper house unanimously approved the treaty on Crimea joining the Russian Federation.
The EU Association Agreement is designed to give Ukraine’s interim leadership under PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk economic and political support.
EU President Herman Van Rompuy said in a statement that the accord “recognises the aspirations of the people of Ukraine to live in a country governed by values, by democracy and the rule of law”.
Yatsenyuk said: “I strongly believe the EU will speak with one single strong voice, protecting Ukraine.”
He added that “the best way to contain Russia is to impose real economic leverage”.
The BBC’s Matthew Price in Brussels says Friday’s accord is not the full package that Yanukovych rejected in November – many parts will not be signed until after new presidential elections in May.
The most sensitive issue of trade integration with the EU is as yet unsigned.
But in its Conclusions on Ukraine, published on Friday, the EU said it was committed to signing the remainder.
The EU also said it would push ahead with similar cooperation deals with two former Soviet republics – Georgia and Moldova – in the summer.
Moscow has troops in breakaway parts of Georgia and in Trans-Dniester, which broke away from Moldova, and our correspondent says the EU’s announcement on this is likely to infuriate the Kremlin far more than any sanctions imposed so far.
The EU has also cancelled a summit with Russia in June and said member states would cancel regular bilateral summits.
Friday’s signing came hours after the EU broadened its sanctions over Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
It added 12 individuals to an earlier list of 21 who now face asset freezes and travel bans.
The US on Thursday added to its own list and also targeted the Rossiya bank.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday the international sanctions were “absolutely unlawful”.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy: “We strongly condemn the unconstitutional referendum in Crimea”
However, President Vladimir Putin said after talks with officials in Moscow that Russia would not take an immediate reciprocal action.
