Officials from Ukraine's interim government have been in Brussels to sign-off a billion dollar deal with the European Union to help the Ukraine pay off Russian debt and improve it's government.
Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said his team would stick to pledges for reform, but had strong words for Russia - who he blames for supporting separatists in the east of the country.
Our Europe correspondent Sandra Gathmann reports:
IN: Fresh aid
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2 mins 52 secs
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PACKAGE SCRIPT:
VO:
Fresh aid for the Ukraine was signed away in Brussels, with the EU pledging more than 1 billion dollars to help the Ukranian government improve it's institutions and pay off its huge debts to Russian gas suppliers. In exchange, Ukraine has promised public reforms. It was the first trip by more than a few members of Ukraine's interim government who met with various EU officials on a wide range of ongoing issues... A show, of ever-deepening ties.
TAKE SOUNDBITE JOSE MANUEL BARROSO
"Ukraine can count on the European Union now and in the future."
VO:
The aid deal comes alongside several financial life-lines for Ukraine including aid from the United States, and part of a 17 billion dollar package agreed with the International Monetary Fund. The EU has tried to help Ukraine in other ways too, temporary lifting customs duties to the rest of Europe and reversing the flow of natural gas more cheaply from Slovakia instead of the country relying on Russia supply… Ukraine will also sign a free trade deal with the EU in June.
VO:
All part of efforts to avoid Ukraine suffering a financial crisis during a time of grave instability.
TAKE SOUNDBITE Ricardo Giucci - Head of the German Advisory Group to Ukraine
I think this year it's clear we will have a recession in the country, some estimate that it will be 5% of GDP. It's a strong recession, but it's not a huge thing…the country is not going to break down as many people think, but if you compare it to 2009 the recession was 15% of GDP and that was much stronger.
VO:
Aside from the economy, Ukraine's interim leader security in the East of the country is still a concern and pointed a strong finger at Moscow.
TAKE SOUNDBITE (English) Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukrainian Prime Minister
"We urge Russia to condemn them, to urge all these so-called protesters, or really terrorists, to leave and vacate the buildings and to do everything they can to stabilise the situation in Ukraine. Russia will fail to make Ukraine a failed state."
VO:
The real ultimatum though will be Ukraine's upcoming national elections on May 25th. With Europe counting on Russia to support a smooth process, or face tougher economic sanctions. Sandra Gathmann CCTV, Brussels.
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