Russia urges Ukraine to join EU - Kuchma
2013-09-18 11:10:22
Russia makes everything for Ukraine to join the European Union.
Ex-President Leonid Kuchma told a briefing in Simferopol Tuesday, answering questions, including a question put by a Ukrinform correspondent.
“Russia makes everything so that Ukraine joined the European Union. It is difficult for me to understand the Russian leadership in this part, since we talk a lot about the history, fraternal relations, but they are absolutely different from fraternal (relations - Ed.). It seems to me that the time will pass and a wind will change, since basically we cannot live without one another, I said and I repeat that I do not see the future of Ukraine without Russia included,” Kuchma has noted.
According to him, Ukrainians are interested in European values and European technologies today.
“It is clear that we are interested in European values, European technologies. If Putin earlier repeatedly said that Russia was accepted to the free trade area with the EU, why cannot we? The answer is obvious I think,” Kuchma stressed.
As concerns the issue about a referendum, initiated by the Communist Party of Ukraine for joining the Customs Union, the ex-President believes that this is within the competence of the head of state.
“Everyone has a right to stand for holding a referendum for joining the Customs Union, but a final decision will be taken by the President of the country. If he sees that there is such a need, than yes, but the thing is that we still do not join anything,” Kuchma stressed.
According to him, it is not advisable to raise a public opinion in this connection.
“If a question stands whether we join the EU or the Customs Union, perhaps, it would be necessary to put it to a referendum, but today, it is in vain to raise the public opinion, the train has already started moving, it is clear what decision will be taken,” Kuchma says.