Ukraine seeking balance in cooperation with Russia, EU

Kiev wanted to reach a balance in its economic cooperation with Russia and the European Union (EU), Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said here Thursday. "Ukraine needs to find a model of interrelations with its strategic partners that would be suitable to all," Yanukovych said in an interview with local media. Ukraine, which aims to sign a partnership agreement with the EU, might also partially commit to Russian-led economic blocs, Yanukovych said. The country, which is already working in a 3+1 format with the Moscow-led Customs Union (CU), is widely seen as a bridge between European and Asian economic regions. Kiev was due to sign a landmark political-economic deal with the EU at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Lithuania last month, but suddenly put the agreement on hold, opting for closer trade ties with Russia.