Ukraine Wants Billions in Financial Aid From the EU

Prime minister says the money would be part of the preparations for signing of economic agreement

Ukraine is requesting financial assistance in the amount of 20 billion euro from the European Union as part of preparations for signing an association agreement, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said.

"Those who have gathered at Maidan [Independence Square in Kyiv] are demanding that an association agreement be immediately signed with the EU. The government also favors the soonest possible signing of the agreement, but we want to provide conditions to minimize losses for the Ukrainian economy," Azarov said.