Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev stepped up pressure on Ukraine on Monday to back down on plans to join an EU trade bloc, warning that Kiev would be barred from a customs union of former Soviet states if it signs an agreement with Europe.
"I don't want there to be any illusions ... Practically, for our Ukrainian partners, entry into the Customs Union will be closed," Medvedev told his deputy premiers during a weekly meeting.? "This is a key political decision that the leadership of Ukraine is making," he said.