Russia's associates within the Customs Union have declined to back the worsening of ties with Ukraine.
On Friday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko officially signed the economic section of the Association Agreement with the European Union. Ukraine had been gearing up for this signing since Viktor Yanukovych's time as president. Poroshenko even mentioned using a pen from the prior year's Eastern Partnership assembly, where the initial signing event was planned.
The crucial element of the economic part of the association is the free trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU, which stipulates the removal of import taxes. Nevertheless, Ukraine also participates in the CIS free trade area. The EU views these areas as fully harmonious, while Russia is concerned that following the elimination of trade obstacles, inexpensive European products will pour into the Customs Union disguised as Ukrainian goods.
Even while Yanukovych was in power in Ukraine, Russia pledged to apply safeguard measures in reaction, but Yanukovych declined to sign the Association Agreement with the EU. The stance is consistent now, according to a federal representative involved in the discussions. The actions could be put in place once the agreement is enacted, says presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
To enact limitations on Ukrainian imports, Russia needed to obtain support from Belarus and Kazakhstan, its collaborators in the Customs Union.
As Vedomosti discovered, Russia was unable to accomplish this. During a gathering of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Russia suggested that Belarus and Kazakhstan endorse a mutual resolution on a revised framework for Ukrainian products, but the proposition was turned down, based on information from a federal official engaged in the discussions and a government staff member. Given that Belarus and Kazakhstan refused, Russia, aligning with the regulations of the Customs Union, was given the authority to proceed independently, Vedomosti‘s sources detailed.
Russia had the option to execute measures against Ukraine on its own, without a “ three-way decision,” First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov also stated, though he did not clarify the justification for doing so. A representative from Shuvalov's office declined to provide commentary.
“ This is a dialogue that impacts all involved—Ukraine, Russia, and our associates in the shared economic area,” Peskov commented. “Protective steps will be necessary to some degree, and we will persist in the conversation to ensure these actions are collective, not individual.”
A Belarusian government representative validated that the nation had refused to endorse the resolution. Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Rumas affirmed that Belarus had strongly objected: the prospective threat to the Customs Union's economy could not yet be determined, signifying there was no pressing need to reach such verdicts. A Kazakh government representative was unavailable for contact.
“ We appreciate the position of our Kazakh and Belarusian associates,” a Russian government official remarked. Kazakhstan is currently entering the WTO and is bound within a stringent negotiating structure, risking Ukraine preventing its entrance. Belarus, in the meantime, has a shared border of 600 kilometers with Ukraine, and shutting it off is practically quite difficult and economically unfeasible, he reasons.
Vedomosti
