European Union, Ukraine sign $1.37 billion deal on aid

BRUSSELS: Ukraine's prime minister and European Union officials have signed a deal for 1 billion euro ($1.37 billion) in EU aid for Kiev's beleaguered government as well as for assistance to help build Ukrainian institutions.

After the ceremony Tuesday, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said "Ukraine can count on the European Union now and in the future.'' The agreements were signed during Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's visit to EU headquarters.

EU officials said the macro-financial help could be used to help pay bills for gas purchased from Russia. EU aid was made contingent on the Ukrainian government committing itself to fiscal and economic reforms. The Ukrainian prime minister thanked the EU, saying ``Russia will fail to make Ukraine a failed state.''