From our News Desk:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has submitted a bill on the ratification of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement to parliament.
The Verkhovna Rada made the announcement on its website on September 15.
Poroshenko signed the key trade and economic relations portion of the Association Agreement in Brussels on June 27. It provides for the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free-Trade Area (DCFTA) and closer economic integration.
However, Ukraine and the EU have agreed to put off implementation of the free-trade zone until December 31, 2015.
The Rada and the European Parliament are expected to simultaneously ratify the Association Agreement on September 16.
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed potential damage from the agreement with his Security Council on September 15.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned that Moscow will cancel its own free-trade agreement with Ukraine if it finds "hidden implementation" of the postponed EU-Ukraine deal, suggesting Russia would impose tariffs on Ukrainian imports.