Ukraine’s government decided Thursday to call off the planned signing of a landmark association agreement with the EU that could have weakened the former 
Soviet nation’s bonds with Russia, RIA Novosti reported.
The Cabinet said in a decree that the decision was motivated by the need to consolidate economic ties with Russia and member states of the Moscow-led Commonwealth of Independence States alliance.
The stunning reversal of course will be greeted with dismay in the European Union, which had been hoping to steer Kiev toward closer economic integration with Europe.
Ukraine’s government has, instead of committing to the EU deal, proposed creating a trilateral commission between itself, Russia and the European Union.