EU Summit Unlikely to Revive Ukraine Deal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych (R) attend a meeting on the sidelines of the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, 29 November 2013. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The European Union has failed to convince Ukraine to sign a landmark association and free trade agreement at an early date.

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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