Russian ambassador evaluates risks of Ukrainian entry into Customs Union
ZHYTOMYR. Dec 1 (Interfax) - Russia runs a much lesser risk in its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) than in the Ukraine's joining the Customs Union, Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov told a Thursday press conference in Zhytomyr.
"My not quite objective opinion is that for Russia the risks coming from entry into the WTO are much smaller than the risks presented by Ukraine's admission to the Customs Union," he said.
Zurabov noted that the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan had brought its first positive results.
Tripartite trade grew by 65-70% since the beginning of 2011.
Russia signed the CIS free trade zone agreement with its eyes wide open, Zurabov said.
"Russia takes this step with full awareness, despite the risks related to Ukraine's possible free trade zone with the EU," he said.