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At the Vilnius Summit. Photo: lrp.lt

The last minute using threats and financial promises, Putin has succeeded to persuade Kiev not to sign the association and free trade agreements. Though Moldova and Georgia have initialled the partnership agreement with the EU, it has to be seen yet if they are going to really sign it in autumn of 2015, says Die Welt.

Why has the EU failed to win against Moscow? The diplomats of Brussels now admit that they had underestimated the determination of Russia to prevent Ukraine from signing the agreement. Moscow has actively threatened Ukrainians with customs duties, restrictions on imports, problems related to gas supply. At the same time Putin has been inducing the Government of Ukraine with writing off its debts, inexpensive credits and favourable gas price.

Meanwhile, the EU issued no threats and promised to provide new credits only after strict reforms, which could have posed a threat on the re-election of Ukraine's President Viktor Yanukovych, notes Die Welt.

Though Kiev did not sign the association agreement, Europeans will continue to allocate funds to Ukraine. Brussels will transfer EUR 190 million to Ukraine, since the country has implemented certain condition of reforms. Moreover, the EU wants to leave the door open for Ukraine as the Community expects that Ukraine will finally sign the agreement after one or two years.

According to Stefan Fuele, EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement and European neighbourhood policy, the EU is ready to make all arrangements to sign the association agreement with Ukraine, if only the country takes the path towards the EU.