Vladimir Putin has demanded a reopening of the EU’s recently-ratified trade pact with Ukraine and has threatened “immediate and appropriate retaliatory measures” if Kiev moves to implement any parts of the deal, according to a letter the Russian president sent to his EU counterpart.
The demand reflects Russia’s determination to put a brake on Ukraine’s integration into Europe and other Euro-Atlantic organisations like Nato, even after annexing Crimea and creating a pro-Russian separatist entity in the east of the country. It comes amid a fresh crackdown on Russian oligarchs, exemplified by the recent house arrest of billionaire businessman Vladimir Yevtushenkov, which was extended by a court yesterday.
The integration treaty was the spark that first set off the 10-month Ukraine crisis after then-president Viktor Yanukovich backed out of the deal at the eleventh hour. Petro Poroshenko, the new president, has made integration with the EU a key objective of his presidency.