20 December 2011
Yesterday European Union and Ukrainian politicians agreed to the terms of a landmark Association Agreement, with embedded Deep & Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, but did not initial the deal. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said the signing would depend on the political circumstances in Ukraine. Brad Wells: We were not expecting any major breakthroughs on the Association Agreement, and did not get any. The next steps for the agreement are uncertain, but if initialed and signed in 2012, it could be ready for ratification by EU member parliaments by the start of 2013. If Ukrainian officials do not take action on criticism over the rule of law and democratic backsliding, we do not rule out a significantly longer timeline for the deal.