Kiev has said it is ready to reject part of the EU's flagship neighbourhood policy if the new deal does not enhance ties between the two sides

Diplomatic sources have told this news-site that Ukraine has threatened to reject the new deal - which is set to form the framework for relations with the EU over the next three years - unless ties are deepened. Kiev has long pressed for the door to EU membership to be left open - at least as a future prospect, and for deeper ties to be sought in the short term. The deal is part of the EU’s recently proposed European Neighbourhood Policy, which outlines relations with countries now on the border of the Union, but without any immediate prospect of EU membership. Rejection of the proposal would be a major setback to the EU, striking a symbolic blow to a policy designed to coordinate relations with the region so soon after its genesis. It would also hurt pro-Europeans inside the country, who are still reeling from the departure of two high profile ministers who advocated taking the road to Brussels rather than Moscow.