Ukraine set to lose preferential trade with Russia after failed last-minute …
The negotiations between Moscow, Kyiv and Brussels were a last chance attempt for the parties to reach some kind of compromise and avoid Russia’s suspension of a free trade zone agreement with Ukraine. In mid-December Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the suspension of free trade with Ukraine as of January 1, 2016, as Kyiv’s move towards opening its borders with the EU compromises Russia’s interests and economic security. Moscow is also concerned that without such a barrier, Kyiv could illegally supply embargoed European goods to Russia.