Poroshenko signs free trade deal with EU

World Today

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko signed a free trade agreement with the European Union, further deteriorating ties with Russia. But the Ukraine crisis has still not come to an end. CCTV’s Stephanie Freid reports from Kiev.

Poroshenko said this day could go down as one of the most important in Ukraine’s history.

“Over the last month, Ukraine paid the highest possible price to make her European dreams come true – it must be worth something, for instance, to finally consider a simple statement, to be part of the E.U., once Ukraine will be ready, it will be in – a statement that could cost the E.U. nothing, but would mean the world of my country.”

“This is the most important day for Ukrainian history after Independence day. I’m absolutely sure that the Ukrainian association agreement with the European Union is not just the finish of our seven-year process, but the launch. The launch of the process for modernisation of my country, the launch of the process for the reform.”

The signing of the deal comes the same day as the end of the weeklong ceasefire Poroshenko declared last Friday. Despite Poroshenko’s recent declaration that the ceasefire will be extended for three more days, thousands fled to Russia from Eastern Ukraine for safety from the conflict, hoping to gain refugee status there. Most of these people are too concerned with their own security to pay attention to the trade deal with the E.U.

In the western part of the country, however, celebration ensued over the historic signing. The crisis in Ukraine, it seems, will not be over anytime soon despite the step toward stronger ties with the E.U.

Poroshenko signs free trade deal with E.U.

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko signed a free trade agreement with the European Union, further deteriorating ties with Russia. But the Ukraine crisis has still not come to an end. CCTV's Stephanie Freid reports from Kiev.

Truman Project fellow Job Henning joined CCTV’s Mike Walter to discuss the latest developments on the Ukraine crisis.

Job Henning on the ceasefire and trade deal in Ukraine

Truman Project fellow Job Henning joined CCTV's Mike Walter to discuss the latest developments on the Ukraine crisis.