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Putin threatens trade barriers, demands amending Association pact

Putin threatens trade barriers, demands amending Association pact

24 September 2014

The Russian government will restrict exports from Ukraine and resort to other measures if its government begins to implement any portion of the Free Trade Area that’s part of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, according to a letter dated Sept. 17 sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, as reported by the Reuters news agency on Sept. 23. Even changes to the law to prepare for the free trade area will prompt a response, Putin warned.

 

“Approving corresponding amendments to Ukraine’s legislation, including the implementation of acts, will be considered as a violation to the agreement to postpone the implementation of the Association Agreement, which will result in immediate and adequate measures in response from the Russian side,” the letter said. Putin also demanded amendments to the agreement, which have been refused by the European and Ukrainian governments. “We still believe that only a systemic correcting of the Association Agreement, that takes into account the full specter of risks for Russian-Ukrainian economic ties and the entire Russian economy, will allow the preservation of the existing trade-economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and Ukraine,” he said.

 

Zenon Zawada: Certain Western diplomats were hoping to appease Putin with the postponement of the launch of the free trade area until Jan. 1, 2016, but they were clearly mistaken. Putin views the massive industrial enterprises of southeastern Ukraine as falling under his purview and views the Association Agreement as an encroachment upon Russia’s national interests.

 

So we expect disputes surrounding the Ukraine-EU free trade area to continue for at least the next year just as acridly as the natural gas dispute between Ukraine and Russia. Meanwhile, Putin’s comment about “adequate measures” applied against Ukraine can extend beyond mere trade barriers, as demonstrated in recent months.

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