Ukrainian lawmakers set to ratify landmark agreement to expand relations with EU

KIEV, Ukraine, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- On Tuesday, lawmakers in Ukraine are set to ratify what is being called a "landmark agreement" to associate with the European Union.

Happening at the same time, European Parliament is taking up the measure.

Ukraine's president is calling Tuesday a "historic" day.

However, implementation of of a free trade deal -- that is part of the package -- will be postponed until 2016 under pressure from Russia.

All of this comes as a cease-fire deal is shakily holding in Ukraine.

There are reports of shelling around the government-held airport in Dontesk and other towns.

This is happening against the backdrop of NATO-led military exercises taking place in western Ukraine. For the next ten days, about 1,300 troops from 15 countries -- including 200 troops from the U.S. -- will be taking part in the exercises.

Pro-Russian rebels have been fighting with government forces in some regions since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in March.

So far, around 3,000 people have been killed in the conflict.