The European Union and Ukraine have released a joint statement after their 20th summit, reaffirming strategic partnership towards a consolidation of political association and economic integration under the association agreement.

We, the leaders of the European Union and Ukraine, gathered today to reaffirm our continuous commitment to strengthening the political association and economic integration of Ukraine with the European Union, on the basis of the Association Agreement and our common values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. We have reaffirmed our attachment to international law," the statement, posted on the European Council's website, said.

The European Council's President Donald Tusk also noted the EU's commitment to the agreements signed with Ukraine.

Today, we have again reaffirmed our strong commitment to the realization of Ukraine's political association and economic integration with the European Union, based on the general principles of democracy, Tusk said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on Monday.

This partnership rests on a solid foundation, he said. The Ukrainian economy is recovering from the crisis and demonstrating a dynamic again, he said.

The same can be said of visa-free travel: half a million of Ukrainians have taken up this opportunity since the visa liberalization, Tusk said.