Interfax: Premier explains suspension of association agreement signing by economic situation in Ukraine

KYIV. Nov 22 (Interfax) – Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said that the government’s decision to suspend preparations for the signing of an association agreement with the European Union is tactical and stems from the current economic situation in the country.

“The decision to suspend the signing of the association agreement with the EU was difficult, but it is the only possible option given the economic situation in which Ukraine has found itself,” Azarov said in the country’s parliament on Friday.

“This decision was prompted by exclusively economic reasons. It in no way changes the strategy of Ukraine’s development, which is determined by the law regulating the country’s domestic and foreign policy,” he said.