Ukraine crisis: EU's Ashton welcomes presidential election deal

A deal to hold early presidential elections in Ukraine has been welcomed by the European Union's foreign policy chief.

President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders signed the agreement on ending the country's political crisis on Thursday, leading the way for the poll to be held before the end of the year.

Baroness Catherine Ashton said the president's signing of the accord meant he had "staked himself" on the deal.