CRI听力:Ukraine Secures One Billion Euro Aid from EU

Ukraine's interim government has signed deals with the EU for loans worth over 1.3-billion euros.

The deals come on the heels of the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk declaring independence in referendums held over the weekend.

CRI's Alexander Aucott has more.

Ukraine's interim administration has struck the loan deals as part of a visit to EU headquarters by interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso:

"Ukraine can count on the European Union now and in the future. And indeed, our meeting was a very successful one, it was an uNPRecedented one. It was the first time the European Commission is meeting with another government outside of the European Union that is in association agreement with us and I think we can say that there was a great convergence and the spirit was really friendly and constructive."

EU officials say the aid can be used to help pay gas bills Ukraine has outstanding with Russia.

The aid is also contingent on the Ukrainian government committing itself to economic reforms.

Last week, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe proposed a road map for peace to the authorities in Kiev.

The OSCE proposals call for national dialogue, the release of political prisoners along with investigations into crimes on both sides.

Germany's foreign minister, who is currently in Kiev, is calling for an immediate start to talks between government officials and pro-Russia activists.

Authorities in Kiev are suggesting any talks need to include international players.

Ukrainian interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk:

"Our position was, is and will be not changed. We consider that an international format of negotiations must consist of four sides - Ukraine, the European Union, the United States and Russian Federation."

Plans are already underway to hold a round of national talks in Ukraine later today.

Pro-Russia supporters have refused to take part in these forthcoming talks, which will include politicians and civil leaders from the country's east.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian defense ministry says 7 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in a new round of fighting in Donetsk.

Pro-Russia activists in the region say they're now considering all Ukrainian troops in the region as occupying forces.

The Ukrainian government, as well as the United States and its European allies, have all said they do not recognize the results of this past weekend's referendums.

Kiev has been insisting the upcoming presidential election later this month is the best way out of the current tensions in the country.

For CRI, I'm Alexander Aucott.