Russia Demands Changes to Ukraine-EU Association Deal

Russia has demanded changes to a landmark political and economic pact between the EU and Ukraine in order to meet Moscow's concerns, according to a letter seen by AFP on Friday.

The European and Ukrainian parliaments on Tuesday simultaneously ratified the association agreement, the rejection of which last year triggered the political crisis in the former Soviet state.

The EU has firmly ruled out making any changes to the agreement, although a week ago it delayed the implementation of the pact's trade elements from this November until December 2015 under pressure from Moscow.

Read more: Russia Demands Changes to Ukraine-EU Association Deal

EU: Russia pressures Moldova and Ukraine ahead of signing of E.U. Association Agreement - by Michael Birnbaum

A new showdown is looming over former Soviet states’ ties to Europe — the same trigger that has ignited months of violence in Ukraine.

With some of those states planning to sign a landmark deal Friday that will draw them closer to the European Union, the Kremlin is beaming out urgent warnings about the consequences.

Russia has said it will flex its considerable muscle to squeeze any nation in the former Soviet orbit that seeks a future with Europe.

Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia are facing intense pressure ahead of the signing of the deal, including threats of export bans and tightened immigration rules, as well as the specter of strengthened separatist movements.

But the warnings may be backfiring, with leaders in all three countries saying Moscow’s ominous tone demonstrates more than ever why they need to pick a different path.

In Moldova, where decaying Austro-Hungarian mansions in the capital, Chisinau, testify to the once-grand heritage of Europe’s now-poorest nation, leaders say they are committed to the agreement, even if it makes their nation more impoverished in the short term in the event of a Russian backlash.

Read more: Russia pressures Moldova and Ukraine ahead of signing of E.U. Association Agreement - The Washington Post