Ukraine's Halting Steps Toward the European Union

Ukraine moved one step closer to key political and economic agreements with the European Union, but the deals are still far from solidified. Ukraine's parliament on Sept. 18 approved a draft of an association agreement with the European Union, ahead of a scheduled signing of the agreement and a free trade pact at the EU Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius on Nov. 25. However, the coming two months will be full of obstacles — most notably from Russia — that could prevent the implementation of the agreements.