The WSJ reports,"the European Union and three of Russia's neighbors signed sweeping trade-and-political agreements Friday, pushing the bloc's influence eastward but potentially provoking fresh tensions with Moscow.
The deals with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, which lower trade barriers and promote democratic reforms, were years in the making but faced doubts recently as Moscow stepped up its opposition. Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March, has said it might retaliate against the three countries by curtailing trade ties.
But EU leaders want to show they won't let a newly aggressive Russia deter them from welcoming countries into the European orbit. Many nations on Russia's periphery have become more eager to align with the EU as a way to protect themselves against potential Russian threats.
The leaders of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova said Friday that the agreements are a pivotal step in aligning their countries permanently with Europe. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stressed the rapid changes engulfing his country in recent months, including street protests and the previous government's ouster, that led to this moment".
What a great day—maybe the most important day for my country after independence day," Mr. Poroshenko said as the heads of all 28 EU countries looked on. "It shows how dramatically things can change in a short time, if the will of the people is strong enough."
But leaders of both sides warned of challenges ahead. EU officials stressed that the three countries must keep up their reforms. Mr. Poroshenko said the EU must stand by Ukraine as it goes through a tough transition in the face of Russian displeasure.
"Will Europe be free, or partly free?" said Mr. Poroshenko, elected in May. "Will it have to worry about more war and annexation, or will it be confident in the future? These aren't idle questions, and the answer will depend on the success or failure of documents we sign today."
Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, the assembly of EU heads of state and government, appeared to address Moscow when he said, "There is nothing in these agreements, nor in the European Union's approach, that might harm Russia in any way."
But the Kremlin has made it clear it sees the deals as a threat to its rightful sphere of influence. Moscow has said recently it might scale back trade ties with its neighbors if they sign such pacts, and after Friday's signing the Russian Foreign Ministry warned of serious consequence for Ukraine.
The deals are part of an eastward-looking EU strategy launched in 2009, with an EU-Ukraine agreement always the centerpiece. Azerbaijan, Belarus and Armenia, which last summer suddenly decided to tear up its draft agreement with the EU, turned down similar bilateral pacts.
Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's refusal to sign an EU association agreement led to weeks of street protests and finally to his ouster.
The continuing tensions with Russia over Ukraine are a major topic of Friday's gathering of EU leaders in Brussels, although no new sanctions are expected. Russia's relations with Georgia and Moldova are also delicate, and the EU's choice to push ahead and sign deals with them could anger Moscow.
