Dutch PM not optimistic on deal over EU-Ukraine partnership

Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte greets his British counterpart Theresa May at the Ministry of General Affairs, The Hague, the Netherlands October 10, 2016. REUTERS/Toussaint Kluiters

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he was not optimistic of reaching a deal over the partnership between the European Union and Ukraine, which was rejected by Dutch voters in a referendum in April.

Rutte said this was because he needed various parties in Brussels, Ukraine and the Netherlands to agree, while also allaying Dutch voters' concerns.