EU and Russia offer conditional support to Ukraine
- 10 years ago
If there is a consistent message the European Union has tried to send since Ukraine rejected a trade deal last November in favor of stronger ties with Moscow, it's that it doesn't want to end up in a tug-of-war with Russia.
Whether it likes it or not, that is precisely what has come to pass.
Now the future of Ukraine - its 46 million people and its faltering economy - hangs in the balance.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton says the EU is ready to help.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN UNION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE, CATHERINE ASHTON, SAYING:
"I've talked many times in the course of the last months about the importance of supporting the economy in Ukraine. Not unconditionally. It is really important to see the sort of economic reforms that would be necessary because this is real economic support and investment."
The Russian Chairman of International Affairs Alexei Pushkov says Moscow is also offering its conditional support.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian
Whether it likes it or not, that is precisely what has come to pass.
Now the future of Ukraine - its 46 million people and its faltering economy - hangs in the balance.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton says the EU is ready to help.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN UNION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE, CATHERINE ASHTON, SAYING:
"I've talked many times in the course of the last months about the importance of supporting the economy in Ukraine. Not unconditionally. It is really important to see the sort of economic reforms that would be necessary because this is real economic support and investment."
The Russian Chairman of International Affairs Alexei Pushkov says Moscow is also offering its conditional support.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian