UKRAINIAN president Viktor Yanukovich has reaffirmed his commitment to signing key agreements with the European Union this autumn.

His declaration comes despite a threat by Russia's Vladimir Putin of possible retaliatory measures.

Russia, the former Soviet republic's biggest trading partner, last week signalled growing alarm at Kiev's policy of European integration by conducting laborious extra customs checks on imports from Ukraine.

But Yanukovich yesterday indicated Kiev is committed to signing political and trade agreements with the EU.