KIEV, June 6 – President Viktor Yanukovych pressed the European Union on Thursday to conclude a milestone political and trade deal with Ukraine this year but he gave no ground on a key EU demand of freeing jailed opponent Yulia Tymoshenko.

Yanukovych made his call in a state-of-the-nation address issued in text form only, stirring the anger of pro-Tymoshenko lawmakers who demanded he appear in person to deliver it, Reuters reported.