The events in Ukraine will not affect relations between the EU and Russia, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said in Brussels on Monday before a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

She also suggested that the EU would be able to assuage any doubts that Kyiv has regarding the signing of an Association Agreement with the EU.

Ashton said that during the talks with the Ukrainian president the sides discussed the short-term issues that prevented him from signing the agreement. She also said she believes that they could be resolved through the support of the EU and international financial institutions, as well as through commercial loans.