Russia denies exerting pressure on Ukraine over deal with EU

Russia on Tuesday denied that it had laid pressure on Ukraine over the latter's association agreement with the European Union (EU).

 Such allegations from Brussels are "groundless," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.


 Russia respects any choice of Kiev as it is Ukraine's sovereign domestic affair, he said.


 Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who was supposed to sign the association agreement with the EU at a summit in Lithuania this week, suddenly put the deal on hold, opting for closer trade ties with Russia.


 European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Monday sharply criticized Russia for putting pressure on Ukraine over the association agreement.


 Stronger ties with the EU would not undermine Ukraine's existing relations with its other neighbors, including Russia, they said.