Integration with the EU remains a priority, Ukraine’s president Viktor Yanukovych announced during his first official visit in Brussels. For Warsaw daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, the Ukrainian leader has no other option but to maintain close ties. Not only the Ukraine’s key trading partner (direct EU investment in Ukraine is four times higher compared than Russia), the Union can also help Kiev secure International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans and exert pressure on Moscow on energy issues. “Seen in the West as pro-Russian, Yanukovych’s announcement was an important signal for Brussels”, writes the daily. The EU is closely watching to see whether Ukraine will accept the Kremlin’s offer of a customs union with Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus or continue talks with Brussels on a free trade agreement, which according to DGP, could be signed by the end of 2010.
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