Russia welcomes Ukrainian government’s taking time out in association with EU – NRCU
Russia welcomes Ukrainian government’s taking time out in association with EU
22-11-2013 15:19
Russia has welcomed the Ukrainian government’s decision to take a time out in the association process with the EU.
“Kyiv must have heard warnings about possible negative consequences from the Association Agreement with the European Union and made a wise decision to suspend preparations for its signing,” Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Eurasian Integration, said in a comment. “In his opinion, a timeout is really necessary. Common sense has triumphed. We welcome the Ukrainian government’s decision,” Slutsky said. He assured reporters that Russia would keep up partnership with Ukraine and would offer its expert, technical, and financial assistance. MP Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the International Affairs Committee, pinned the blame for the Ukrainian government’s decision to defer the signing of the association agreement with the EU on the latter. “Brussels has apparently gone too far in its pressure on Kyiv and set additional political conditions for the agreement, which would have dubious advantages. That was a big miscalculation,” Pushkov wrote on Twitter.