London, June 27 (IANS): Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova Friday signed partnership agreements with the European Union (EU) in a move strongly opposed by Russia.
The agreement would benefit the three countries both politically and economically and would allow them to work more closely with the West, BBC reported.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko described the signing of the agreement as Ukraine's most historic day since independence in 1991, and called it a "symbol of faith and unbreakable will".
European Council (EC) President Herman van Rompuy described it as a "great day for Europe".
Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign the deal under pressure from Russia and the protests that followed led to his overthrow in February.
Talks are also set to take place on extending a ceasefire for pro-Russia rebels which was announced by Poroshenko last week in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.