Ukraine: A Critical Decision Lies Ahead for Kiev

A ruling by the Ukrainian government this week will have important implications for the country's long-term strategic orientation between the European Union and Russia. Sergei Glazyev, Russian presidential adviser on regional economic integration said, Nov. 11 that Russia would engage in multibillion-dollar projects with Ukraine on the condition that the country does not sign an association and free trade agreement with the European Union. This comes days after European Union officials gave Nov. 13 as the deadline for the Ukrainian government to make a decision on the status of jailed opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko.

With a key summit on Ukraine's integration with the EU approaching later this month, Brussels and Moscow have ramped up efforts to sway Ukraine into their respective blocs. Kiev has so far attempted to balance both sides without committing too firmly to either. The time for Ukraine to make a concrete decision is approaching, however, and recent developments show significant hesitation in regards to satisfying EU demands.