Ukraine edges closer to EU status

HOPES are high that the EU will agree to initial the comprehensive free trade agreement with Ukraine at a summit in Warsaw this week, marking an important step towards the country’s membership of the bloc.

The EU had warned it would delay and downgrade relations with Ukraine over what is seen as a politically motivated trial of former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko.

She is in jail for violating court rules during her trial on charges seen as anti-democratic by the EU.