Russian trade controls aimed at Ukraine-EU pact are unacceptable, EU says

The EU questions the basis for the Russian Federation restricting Ukrainian exports, EU Trade Commissioner Spokesman John Clancy on August 21, as reported by the Financial Times. “Any economic threat from Russia aimed at Ukraine and related to its possible signing of the EU Association Agreement is unacceptable,” he said. The EU expects that trade issues involving Russia and Ukraine will be resolved quickly and in conformity with WTO requirements, he said.

Meanwhile, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule said the same day that “it’s unacceptable to make any link between the Association Agreement and tightening of customs procedures. I’m happy to see that the situation is calming down.”

Zenon Zawada: Any calming down of the situation is only temporary, as well are confident last week’s measures are only the beginning of a protracted conflict. The EU statements are unlikely to affect the policy of the Russian government, which will intensify efforts to undermine the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement in the next three months.