Ukraine to oppose any changes to EU Association agreement

The Ukrainian government opposes any new talks on the text of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, any changes to the text and any delays in its taking effect, said on April 25 First Deputy Parliamentary Head Iryna Herashchenko when addressing the Ukraine-EU association parliamentary committee of the European Parliament, as reported by the Ukrinform news agency. “We believe that this document is supposed to remain whole and as it was ratified by Ukraine, the European Parliament and the 27 EU member-states,” she said.

Zenon Zawada: The key question on this issue is whether the Dutch referendum rejecting the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement will prompt EU politicians to amend the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement in any way. Creaking open the door to amending the agreement is a Pandora’s box that, once opened, will be exploited by the Russians to undermine it altogether.

Preserving the agreement as is depends on how effectively Russia is able to exploit the referendum to pressure the EU governments and whether EU leaders will continue to see support for Ukraine as a worthwhile endeavor. Russia’s position will be weakened if Ukraine pursues a firm path towards reform, but strengthened if reforms are derailed. So the ball is really in Ukraine’s court.