ALJAZEERA: Ukraine abruptly abandoned a historic new alliance with its Western neighbors Thursday, halting plans for an imminent trade pact with the European Union and saying it would instead revive talks with Russia.
EU officials, who had been preparing to sign the long-negotiated deal at the end of next week, said President Viktor Yanukovich cited fears of losing massive trade with Russia when he told an EU envoy this week that he could not agree terms…
Russia, sensing betrayal in the westward pivot of its most populous former Soviet satellite, had threatened retaliation, raising fears it could cut energy supplies in new “gas wars.” The Kremlin welcomed the news of Ukraine’s change of heart… (more)
