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| EU signs pacts with ex-USSR states | EU signs pacts with ex-USSR states |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have signed partnership agreements with the European Union, in a move strongly opposed by Russia. | Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have signed partnership agreements with the European Union, in a move strongly opposed by Russia. |
| The pact - which would bind the three countries more closely to the West both economically and politically - is at the heart of the crisis in Ukraine. | The pact - which would bind the three countries more closely to the West both economically and politically - is at the heart of the crisis in Ukraine. |
| Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he saw the signing as the start of preparations for EU membership. | Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he saw the signing as the start of preparations for EU membership. |
| A ceasefire with pro-Russian rebels in the east is due to end on Friday. | A ceasefire with pro-Russian rebels in the east is due to end on Friday. |
| Mr Poroshenko hailed the signing as Ukraine's most historic day since independence in 1991, describing it as a "symbol of faith and unbreakable will". | Mr Poroshenko hailed the signing as Ukraine's most historic day since independence in 1991, describing it as a "symbol of faith and unbreakable will". |
| Meanwhile European Council President Herman van Rompuy described it as a "great day for Europe". | Meanwhile European Council President Herman van Rompuy described it as a "great day for Europe". |
| "The EU stands by your side, today more than ever before," he told leaders of the three countries, adding that there was nothing in the agreements that might harm Russia in any way. | "The EU stands by your side, today more than ever before," he told leaders of the three countries, adding that there was nothing in the agreements that might harm Russia in any way. |
| Mr Poroshenko's predecessor Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign the deal under pressure from Russia and protests led to his overthrow. | Mr Poroshenko's predecessor Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign the deal under pressure from Russia and protests led to his overthrow. |
| After this Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region and pro-Russia separatists in eastern regions declared independence, claiming that extremists had taken power in Kiev. | After this Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region and pro-Russia separatists in eastern regions declared independence, claiming that extremists had taken power in Kiev. |
| Fighting is said to have continued in some areas of eastern Ukraine despite a temporary ceasefire this week. | |
| Talks on extending the truce in in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions are also set to take place on Friday. | |
| More than 420 people have been killed in fighting between pro-Russia rebels and government forces in eastern Ukraine since mid-April, the UN estimates. | More than 420 people have been killed in fighting between pro-Russia rebels and government forces in eastern Ukraine since mid-April, the UN estimates. |