The Agreement on Ukraine’s association with the European Union can by no means harm the Customs Union member countries: Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stated this at the August 26 meeting of Ukraine, the EU, and the “Eurasian three” (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan). Poroshenko called on the Customs Union countries to focus on cooperation mechanisms that would enhance the potential contained in the integration processes, and to set up a monitoring group for assessing the real consequences of the Association Agreement signed by Ukraine with the EU. He also emphasized that Ukraine is interested in continuing economic talks with the EU and Russia. The President of Ukraine stressed that, taking into account the EU association agreements signed by Moldova and Georgia, “it is possible to extend the format of this consultative mechanism to these countries as well, with participation of Belarus.” He added that Ukraine’s goods turnover with the Customs Union shrank by 30% that benefits neither Ukraine nor its partners.

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