Russia and Ukraine sign deals to expand trade and industrial ties

MOSCOW – Russian and Ukrainian officials have signed a series of agreements to boost trade and industrial co-operation between the ex-Soviet neighbours.

The agreements signed Tuesday include a deal to settle disputes in mutual trade, an agreement to jointly modify a Soviet-designed transport plane, a deal on industrial co-operation and a pact to design a bridge across the Kerch Strait.

Protesters in Ukraine, who have camped on the capital’s main square for nearly a month, have warily watched Tuesday’s talks in Moscow between Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, fearing they could reflect the Kremlin’s effort to pull Ukraine closer into the Russian orbit.

The protests were triggered by Yanukovych’s decision to ditch a pact with the European Union in favour of closer ties with Russia.