Russia 'bewildered, disappointed' by EU criticism over Ukraine

The Russian foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was perplexed by recent European Union accusations that Moscow had pressed Ukraine to scrap a key trade and partnership pact with the 28-member bloc. "Moscow took note of a joint statement by European Union President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso over Ukraine," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Such and other recent statements by a number of European politicians and EU leaders cause bewilderment and disappointment." Barroso and Van Rompuy had said on Monday that they "strongly disapprove of the Russian position and actions" over Ukraine.