Ukraine has introduced a utilization fee on imported cars, thus making its 'contribution' to the outbreak of the Ukrainian-Russian 'war', the Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper says in the article titled: "Kyiv opens anti-Russian trade front".

According to market experts, the introduction of the Russian utilization fee will significantly reduce the presence of Ukrainian manufacturers in the Russian market. Losses can be as high as USD 350 million a year. Therefore, the Ukrainian government for two weeks has been trying to negotiate with Russian counterparts on an exclusive regime, providing for the abolition of the Russian protective measure for Ukraine. In response, officials have heard only one thing: the exception can be made for members of the Customs Union.

Although the Ukrainian government has made efforts to resolve the situation peacefully by the end of the month, President Yanukovych demanded that officials take immediate measures to protect the Ukrainian automotive industry.

Kyiv notes that the new trade front, as well as the recent 'cheese wars', and the gas conflict fit into the policy of the Russian pressure to force Ukraine to join the Customs Union.

The Zerkalo Nedeli newspaper, referring to its sources in diplomatic circles, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovych two months to think about the integration: "During the latest private conversation an ultimatum was also put forward: if, within two months Kyiv does not agree to join the Customs Union, it will face the cooling in trade relations, and things are only going to get worse". Kyiv, as known, has so far declined the invitation, hoping for economic integration in the EU. Experts believe that it all depends on how at the political level the EU will assess the Ukrainian parliamentary elections in late October. The position of President Yanukovych at talks in Moscow, which are planned after the elections, will likely depend on the election campaign outcome.

Ukrinform