Ukraine’s parliament ratifies pact to deepen EU ties

Ukraine’s parliament yesterday ratified an agreement to deepen economic and political ties with the EU and passed legislation to grant autonomy to the rebellious east as part of a peace deal.

The ratification vote draws a line under the issue that last year sparked Ukraine’s crisis, which resulted in the ousting of the president, the annexation of Crimea by Russia, and a war with the Russia-backed separatists that has killed more than 3,000 people.

The ratification vote in Kiev, synchronised with the European Parliament by a video link, was met with a standing ovation, and members of parliament leapt to their feet to sing the national anthem.