FX.co ★ Putin signs decree suspending free trade treaty with Ukraine

“Ukraine expects some economic damage as a result of the decree,” President Petro Poroshenko said. "Ukraine is aware of these restrictions and the expected damage to the Ukrainian economy. But we are ready to pay this price for our freedom and our European choice." he said.

The decree will annul a Russian deal with Ukraine dating back to 2011. Mr. Putin cited "extraordinary circumstances affecting the interests and economic security" of Russia.

"These measures are meant to protect Russia's economic interests," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, citing a lack of protection for the Russian market once Kiev's free trade agreement with the EU goes into effect.

Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern that Ukraine's free trade agreement with Brussels may flood its market with European goods.

Poroshenko said Putin's decision to suspend their treaty was unfortunate. "But we are ready to pay this price for our freedom and our European choice," he told reporters in Brussels, flanked by EU president Donald Tusk and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.