European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovic "intends to sign" a trade and cooperation agreement with the EU that he rejected last month, setting off massive anti-government protests.
Ashton spoke to reporters in Brussels Thursday, after holding talks with Mr. Yanukovich in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. She said it is clear that the short-term economic and financial issues Ukraine faces can be alleviated by signing the association agreement, bringing in fresh investment from EU nations.
"Look, Yanukovych made it clear to me that he intends to sign the association agreement. What he talked about were the short-term economic issues that the country faces. And it is my view that those challenges, which are real, can be addressed by the support that not only comes from the European Union institutions, but actually by showing that he has a serious economic plan in signing the association agreement also will help to bring in the kind of investment that he needs."
Meanwhile, anti-government protests continue, with demonstrators calling for closer ties with the European Union.
After riot police converged on thousands of protesters in Kyiv's Independence Square Wednesday, the United States denounced the police actions and said it is considering its response, including possible sanctions.
Opposition leaders in Kyiv have rejected a call by President Yanukovych for talks aimed at ending the protests against his recent move to step back from the EU trade deal, in favor of boosting ties with Russia.