European leaders insisted they would not engage in a bidding war with Russia over the future of Ukraine, saying their offer of an integration agreement with the EU remained on the table but it was up to Kiev to decide whether to accept it as is.
The stance reflects increasing pessimism in European capitals that the long-sought trade and political agreement with Ukraine, more than six years in negotiation, will be reached now that Viktor Yanukovich, Ukraine’s president, signed agreements with the Kremlin valued at €15bn last week.
