Ukraine Signs Landmark Agreement With EU

Ukraine has signed an association agreement for trade with the European Union – despite threats from Russia, its neighbor to the east, including more intervention by militants, encouragement of separatists, higher tariffs and refusal to sell gas. A ceasefire remains in effect. “The document signed Friday was the same one that was rejected in November by Ukraine’s then-president, Viktor Yanukovych,” reports Michael Birnbaum for the Washington Post. “That decision sparked months of protests by pro-Western Ukrainians, a crackdown by Yanukovych and his eventual ouster in February, generating the highest tensions between the West and Russia since the Cold War.” The association agreement would allow tariff-free exports from Ukraine, with the condition that Ukraine eventually bring regulations up to EU standards and enact economic reforms that could reduce corruption. The EU goal is for Ukraine is to develop a strong independent economy much like Poland’s. As the top export and import trade partner for Ukraine, Russia clearly miscalculated in its dominant approach with Ukraine. – YaleGlobal