Ukraine will decide through popular vote whether to sign a free-trade pact with the European Union or join the rival Russia-led Customs Union with Belarus and Kazakhstan, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said Friday, August 30, according to RIA Novosti.

“What the choice of the Ukrainian people will be can be shown by a referendum. We don’t know when it will be. When the decision will be made to join either the EU or the Customs Union, then there will be no avoiding the referendum for us,” Yanukovych said in comments aired by several nationwide television channels.

Ukraine has repeatedly voiced intention to join the European Union and is expected to sign an association agreement with the EU in November.

Moscow has been increasing pressure on Kiev to instead join the Customs Union, which would keep Ukraine under Russia’s sphere of influence. Ukraine, currently an observer in the Customs Union, has said it has no plans to ascend to full membership in the bloc.