Ukraine suspends EU trade deal, plans to renew Russia ties A last minute about-turn in Ukraine has seen the government suspend a trade pact with the European Union, just a week before it was set to be signed. Following months of negotiations with the EU, Kiev has issued an order calling off preparations of its Association Agreement with the European Union. The order, issued by Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, said the government was suspending plans for concluding the agreement "with the aim of adopting measures to ensure national security." It also said Ukraine would renew active dialogue with Russia on bolstering economic ties. There had been concerns that a punitive response from Moscow over the deal could hurt the Ukrainian economy. The leader of the opposition has called for President Victor Yanukovich to be impeached if he fails to sign the agreement with the EU.