The European Union is closing in on a deal that would allow Ukraine to get natural gas from sources to the West rather than from Russia, people familiar with the matter said. Such a move could ease the way for the former Soviet republic to pursue closer economic links with Europe, despite threats of retaliation from the Kremlin. The prospective natural gas deal comes 10 days before leaders of the 28-nation EU and its eastern neighbors meet in Vilnius, Lithuania. The centerpiece of the summit is intended to be a sweeping trade and political deal between Brussels and Kiev, but the signing has been in doubt because of a number of issues, including the fate of the jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Ukraine’s parliament meets again Tuesday to consider a solution to the EU’s demand that she be freed and allowed to go abroad for medical treatment. Meanwhile, […]