There's been much talk – and some evidence – of Russia tightening pressure on Moldova and Georgia in the wake of the Ukraine crisis in hopes of derailing those two countries' decisions to deepen ties with the European Union.

On Thursday night, as EU leaders debated late into the night about who they should add to the EU's Russia sanctions list in response to the Crimea takeover, the bloc made a counter-move to parry Russian pressure.

The 28-nation bloc brought forward the target date for finalizing the trade and political deals they initialed with Moldova and Georgia at last November's Vilnius summit -- to June from August.

Here's what the EU conclusions said:

The European Union reconfirms its objective to further strengthen the political association and economic integration with Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. We confirm our aim to sign the Association Agreements, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, which we initialled in Vilnius last November, no later than June 2014.

EU concerns have centered on Moldova, where Prime Minister Iurie Leanca faces elections this year.