Ratification with a “Special” Flavor
Lesson Brief
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Wednesday marked an historic day in Ukrainian history with the official ratification of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement. Signing simultaneously via video conference, Ukraine's Parliament and the EU Parliament officially signed the document. In addition the Association Agreement, Ukraine's Parliament passed laws giving the Donetsk and Lugansk Oblasts limited self-rule, giving amnesty to separatists involved in the DPR, and repealing "dictatorial laws" enacted by ex-President Yanukovych. Ukraine and the EU also decided to push back the implementation of the free-trade portions of the Association Agreement until 1 January 2016 in order to give all sides time to pacify the east of the country.