MOSCOW, 30 September (BelTA) – Russia does not interfere in the relations of its partners in the Eurasian Economic Union with third countries, including Ukraine, Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev told media after the Union State Council of Ministers meeting in Moscow on 29 September, BelTA informs.
“Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan maintain their own relations with Ukraine. We do not interfere into the relations of the EEU partners with third countries. We do not push them or dictate them anything,” said Dmitry Medvedev.
According to Dmitry Medvedev, more than a year ago he signed an executive order of the Russian government which says that if Ukraine implements the European law, Russia will suggest applying the corresponding protocol to the free trade zone agreement. This protocol allows Russia stopping its preferential trade regime and switch to the ordinary trade regime with Ukraine. The Premier stressed that such a decision will have considerable economic consequences.
In his words, if Russia, Ukraine and the EU do not regulate the issue by the end of the year, the document will take full force. “The probability of such an agreement is extremely low. However, miracles happen, including in the political life,” said Dmitry Medvedev.
When asked on whether Belarus is going to join Russia's decisions on Ukraine, Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said that Belarus would continue implementing its international obligations. “We have obligations in the EEU and the CIS free trade zone,” said the Belarusian Premier.
In his words, Belarus is also in a difficult situation directly related to the implementation of the WTO rules by its partners in the Eurasian Economic Union. “There are also a big number of positions where we have to take certain decisions regarding the single customs territory,” Andrei Kobyakov said.
