Ukraine trade deal discussions suspended, says EU

Attempts to resume discussion on a political and trade association agreements between the European Union and Ukraine have been suspended due to the Eastern European country's failure to "commit", the EU said.

Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych put on hold a historic deal with the EU, triggering mass protests from Ukranian demonstrators and Opposition leaders. The decision sent relations between Europe and Russia into a deep chill after Brussels had accused Russia of exerting heavy economic pressure on Ukraine.

Stefan Fuele, the EU commissioner for enlargement, who has spent years negotiating the deal with Kiev, said the plan was being put on hold because of Brussels' failure to obtain clear commitments from the Ukrainian government.

Nevertheless, the EU and Ukraine said that they are committed to resume negotiations but Fuele called for Ukraine to commit and clarify its intentions.

"The faster Ukraine can commit and clarify its intentions, the faster both parties can resume discussions."

The EU Commissioner for enlargement tried to revive the agreement last week and unveiled a roadmap but said that further discussions are conditioned on Yanukovych's commitment to signing the deal.

However, a senior EU diplomat said that there is little confidence in Brussels that Yanukovych signs the agreement as he is "trying to manoeuvre between EU and Russia to get more money or concessions."

The EU diplomat said that the Ukranian overnment is trying to avoid committing to reforms, but he said that the EU agreeemnts are all about reforms.

Citing economic necessity and his desire to protect those "most vulnerable", Yanukovych stunned Brussels last month by abruptly ditching the agreement following years of discussions.

The president's stand has triggered mass demonstrations with crowds gathering in Kiev to protest against Yanukovych's decision not to sign a EU trade agreement and instead turn towards Russia for financial help. Police has since attempted to dislodge anti-government demonstrators from the capital.

The series of protests, the largest since Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution, are designed to push Mr Yanukovych to dismiss his government and call fresh elections, opposition leaders say.

Clashes between police and protestors drew widespread condemnation by world leaders, particularly by the US who warned Ukraine not to use its army against civilians.