A crowd of pro-European Union activists, in back, block the entrance to Independence Square to supporters of Yanukovych's party of Regions in Kiev, Ukraine Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators continued to occupy Kiev's Independence Square on Thursday, expressing their anger over a bailout Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych negotiated with Russia earlier this week. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
December 20, 2013 - 2:36 AM
BRUSSELS - European Union leaders are making renewed calls to Ukraine to sign a co-operation deal despite snubs from President Viktor Yanukovyck who wants closer ties with Moscow instead.
Days after Russia announced a $15 billion bailout package for Ukraine and pledges to discount gas exports, EU leaders said Friday that Ukraine should still align itself with the 28-nation bloc for the economic advantages of a market of 500 million consumers and aid possibly in excess of $26 billion over a seven-year span.
President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, which holds the EU presidency said that "Europe is open for Ukrainian people, but not necessarily for this government. That's the message."
The diplomatic battle for Ukraine has been cast in geopolitical terms as a standoff between Russia and the West.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013