Russia hopes better tourism despite Ukraine’s west inclination

Published on : Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Ukraine-International-AirlinesIn an unsavory turn of events between Russia and Ukraine, Russia made it blatantly clear there would be no “bridge” if Ukraine stepped west; they would have to give up their “exclusive relationship” with Russia.

In a surprising move that could effect all industries, including travel and tourism, The Ukraine will “restore an active dialogue” with the Russian lead Customs Union and the CIS, as economic and foreign ministers proposed Ukraine, Russia, and the EU create a tri-party commission to improve and strengthen trade relations.

Facing its most important economic crosswords since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kiev has aligned itself closer to Russia, and has suspended preparations to sign an EU trade deal.

Russia has warned a step west towards Ukraine would be “trade suicide” and result in billions in lost trade revenue and that joining the Russia-led Customs Union is more beneficial.

President’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia welcomed Ukraine’s decision to actively
develop ties with Moscow, and Putin added he wasn’t completely against Ukraine’s association with EU.

Putin said he supports the idea of trilateral trade talks, but only up until Ukraine signs an
association agreement with the EU.

“We favor this, but only before decisions are made. How can we hold negotiations on issues that have already been agreed upon and endorsed? What is our role in such negotiations? It’s equal to zero, but we are surely prepared for such a discussion if it is substantial,” Putin said Wednesday in Moscow.

Initially, the signing of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and EU was schedule to take place at the Vilnius summit on November 28, but on November 21 the parliament rejected a bill that would allow Tymoshenko to travel abroad for treatment.

On Thursday Ukraine failed to pass a law that would free former Prime Minister Yulia
Tymoshenko – the key stumbling block in the negotiations on Kiev’s signing the association
trade agreement with the EU.

However, President Yanukovych said he still had his eye on integration with the EU.

“We still have a bit to go to the top. We do not fear difficulties and are confident that we will continue towards European integration,” Yanukovych said on Wednesday.

“If there is no deal in November, Putin will have won a resounding psychological victory – most everyone in the EU would want to prevent that, and Yanukovych counts on it,” Dimitry Trenin told RT ahead of the decision.

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