#Ukraine leader ignores Putin warning on EU path | Reuters

Ukraine leader ignores Putin warning on EU path | Reuters:

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with his Ukrainian counterpart 

Viktor Yanukovich during their meeting at the Zavidova residence in the Tver region March 4, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Andrei Mosienko/Presidential Press Service/Handout

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich on Saturday re-affirmed his commitment to signing key agreements with the European Union, including on trade, despite a threat by Russia's Vladimir Putin of possible retaliatory measures.

Russia, the ex-Soviet republic's biggest trading partner, last week signaled growing alarm at Kiev's policy of European integration by conducting laborious extra customs checks on imports from Ukraine, causing delays at the border.

Though Russia ended the customs checks after a few days, Putin last Thursday added to fears in Kiev of a possible trade war by saying that a free trade deal between Ukraine and the EU might "squeeze out" Russian goods."

'via Blog this'