EU Still Prepared To Sign Deal With Ukraine

Ukrainian students sing the national anthem during a mass rally on Independence Square in Kyiv in favor of the EU agreement last month.

BRUSSELS -- European Union leaders say in the draft final declaration of a two-day summit in Brussels that the bloc is still ready to sign documents on closer relations with Ukraine.

In a draft declaration seen by RFE/RL, the EU says it will sign the Association Agreement when Kyiv is "ready" and the "relevant conditions are met."

EU leaders gathered in Brussels on December 19 for the summit.

The draft document also says the EU is "ready to sign these agreements as soon as possible" with Moldova and Georgia.

Ukraine surprised EU officials shortly before the November 28 Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius by saying it would not sign the Association Agreement in favor of closer relations with Russia.

The Brussels summit will also discuss defense and economic reforms, including an agreement on a banking union.

With reporting by dpa and AP