Russia to fully overcome effects of broken cooperation with Ukraine in defense industry - Putin's aide
MOSCOW. Feb 24 (Interfax) - Russia has almost resolved problems prompted by the severance of cooperation between the Russian and Ukrainian defense industries, presidential aide for military-technological cooperation Vladimir Kozhin said in an interview with Interfax.
"Certainly, the severance of cooperation with Ukraine is noticeable. I won't say it's very serious, but it has chiefly affected two sectors, namely the manufacturing of engines for the shipbuilding industry and aircraft engines. We have had some problems with the implementation of contracts, and we had to actively deal with this," he said.
"In principle, we have virtually resolved this problem. We decided not to copy what Ukraine made but have started making it better. We will settle this problem completely within two years," Kozhin said.
"As for the Ukrainian economy, this is hard to imagine. We'll see that in two or three years' time. All this talk that their equipment will be in demand is absolute nonsense," said the presidential aide.
"We know countries that are rejecting contracts with Ukraine because it will simply be unable to honor them. The situation today is different: it is important not only to supply equipment, what is needed is a service system, post-warranty maintenance. We are developing a huge number of service centers. Ukraine cannot do that," Kozhin said.
"Ukraine is switching to NATO standards. Who needs them with their equipment and their engines? For a while they might be doing something for the UN or African countries where our Mil Mi-8s (helicopters) fly. The Ukrainians engage in dumping, offering illegal parts in order to get a contract," he said.
"Each one of us has something to do with Ukraine. We feel sorry for the people whom the Ukrainian authorities have literally left to the mercy of fate. We perfectly know, for example, Motor Sich, its top management, they have serious professionals, competent people," Kozhin said.