Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova sign partnership agreements with EU
 
Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have signed partnership agreements with the European Union, in a move strongly opposed by Russia. 

The pact which would bind the three countries more closely to the West, both economically and politically is at the heart of the crisis in Ukraine.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin said making Ukraine choose between Russia and the EU would split it into two.  

A ceasefire with pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine is due to end today.  

Mr Putin called for a long-term ceasefire to allow talks between the government and separatists. 

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko  has hailed the signing as Kiev's  most historic day since independence in 1991, describing it as a symbol of faith and unbreakable will. 

Mr Poroshenko  said he saw the signing as the start of preparations for joining the bloc.  

Russia has free-trade agreements with Ukraine and Moldova in the CIS framework while Georgia, which is not a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, is still party to several CIS trade agreements.

Source:BBC