The European Union on Friday urged Ukraine to stabilise its political system and recession-ravaged economy, while also stressing that lacklustre reforms have delayed the former Soviet republic’s hopes for closer integration with the 27-nation bloc.
Energy security was also high on the agenda during an EU-Ukraine summit held in Kiev amid persistent fears that European gas supplies could be disrupted again – as during January’s dispute with Moscow – should cash-strapped Ukraine fail to cover its import bills to Russia’s Gazprom.
