Labour MEP Alfred Sant has explained why he abstained in the European Parliament vote for the ratification of the association agreement between the EU and Ukraine. MEPs backed the agreement with 535 votes in favour, 127 against and 35 abstentions.

Dr Sant told Times of Malta that in principle it was positive that the EU and Ukraine reached an association agreement, but this had to be done in the context of current geo-political circumstances.

He felt that that the time chosen for this political gesture was highly imprudent. He was also not sure that enough importance was given to the interests of the people of the East of Ukraine (who are Russian-leaning).

The debate held in the European Parliament had not removed those doubts, Dr Sant said.

He said he agreed with Foreign Minister George Vella that the EU could have better handled the Ukraine issue at the outset when it launched the talks on an association agreement. It had  started talks on economic and commercial association without considering the non-strategic and diplomatic consequences. Then the consequences started being ignored as well.

With regard to sanctions, Dr Sant said each side was trying to influence the other through sanctions which hit the ordinary people, and military action on the ground which further complicated the situation.

In such a delicate situation, Dr Sant said said it was prudence which was called for, but this did not feature in the triumphalism seen in the European Parliament on Tuesday when the association treaty was ratified.