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| EU rejects Russia 'veto' on Ukraine | EU rejects Russia 'veto' on Ukraine |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The EU will not accept a "veto" by Russia on the bloc's ties with former Soviet republics, European Commission chief Manuel Barroso has said. | The EU will not accept a "veto" by Russia on the bloc's ties with former Soviet republics, European Commission chief Manuel Barroso has said. |
| Speaking at a EU meeting in Vilnius, Mr Barroso said the era of "limited sovereignty was over in Europe". | Speaking at a EU meeting in Vilnius, Mr Barroso said the era of "limited sovereignty was over in Europe". |
| The summit failed to revive an association agreement with Ukraine that was due to be its centrepiece. | The summit failed to revive an association agreement with Ukraine that was due to be its centrepiece. |
| Ukraine's president said he could not afford to sacrifice trade with Russia - which opposes the deal - for EU ties. | Ukraine's president said he could not afford to sacrifice trade with Russia - which opposes the deal - for EU ties. |
| President Viktor Yanukovych froze plans to sign Ukraine's trade deal last week. In Vilnius, he defended his refusal to sign, saying the EU was not offering adequate financial aid. | President Viktor Yanukovych froze plans to sign Ukraine's trade deal last week. In Vilnius, he defended his refusal to sign, saying the EU was not offering adequate financial aid. |
| After the two-day summit, Mr Barroso said: "We will not give in to external pressure, not the least from Russia. | After the two-day summit, Mr Barroso said: "We will not give in to external pressure, not the least from Russia. |
| "What we cannot accept is a condition on a bilateral agreement to have a kind of a possible veto of a third country. This is contrary to all principles of international law." | "What we cannot accept is a condition on a bilateral agreement to have a kind of a possible veto of a third country. This is contrary to all principles of international law." |
| EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the parties had been "really close" to signing the association agreement, but added that "we need to overcome pressure from abroad". | |
| "We are embarked on a long journey, helping Ukraine to become, as other, what we call now, 'new member states'. But we have to set aside short-term political calculations." | |
| However progress was made with two other ex-Soviet states, Georgia and Moldova. | |
| Both initialled association agreements on Friday, the closing day of the summit, with diplomats hopeful that these can be signed next year. |