Putin promises an ‘immediate response’ if EU-Ukraine trade agreement goes through (Source businessinsider.com) A leaked letter from German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urges the European Union to quickly ease “Russian concerns” regarding the implementation of a free-trade agreement with Ukraine. In the letter addressed to European Commission President Jean-Paul Juncker, which was made available to RFE/RL, Steinmeier called for a resumption of three-way talks between the EU, Ukraine, and Russia in order to identify “practical solutions.” Russia has voiced opposition to the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), the economic core of a wide-ranging Association Agreement concluded in March 2014 by the European Union and Ukraine. Critics in Russia say the deal would have a negative impact on the Russian economy. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine that changing national legislation to prepare for the agreement would trigger “an immediate response from Moscow.” Ukraine, in turn, argues that Russia is not a party to the Association Agreement and has no right to interfere. After being postponed amid Russian resistance, the DCFTA is due to enter force by January 1, 2016. In the letter, dated April 2, Steinmeier urged the European Commission to “use the considerable flexibility that the agreement offers.” He said Germany strongly supported the swift implementation of the DFCTA, adding that “time is running short.” He added that “the economic stability of Ukraine can hardly succeed without the participation of Russia” and called for a “pragmatic, interest-based and political approach without preconditions.”