EU: Russia’s threats against Ukraine unacceptable

The European Union calls unacceptable any economic threat from Russia against Ukraine related to the possible signing of the Association Agreement with the EU, representative of the European Commission John Clancy said.

The representative of the European Commission questioned grounds of Russia to limit Ukrainian goods. "The EU would like to note that, despite the many irritants in bilateral trade with Ukraine, the simplification of trade for Ukrainian products, is applicable even for sensitive products, as shown by recent lists of Ukrainian farms for eggs and poultry exports to the EU market," he said.

In addition, Clancy again outlined the position of the European Union, which "considers it essential that the talks with the EU on free trade area will not interfere with Ukrainian plans to develop constructive relations with the Customs Union and the Eurasian economic area, until the relationship are founded on the principles and rules of the WTO, and do not contradict the future Free Trade Area of EU - Ukraine."

"Thus, according to the EU, any economic threat from Russia directed against Ukraine and linked with a possible signature of the Association Agreement with the EU is unacceptable," he said.

The Commission representative also drew attention to the fact that in the context of the Free Trade Area of Russia - Ukraine (CIS), the EU goods exported to Ukraine within future free trade area will not be able to claim benefits for export from Ukraine to Russia, in accordance with customs regulations (rules of origin).