President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree suspending an agreement for a free trade zone between Russia and Ukraine beginning Jan.1, according to a document published on the government's legal information website Wednesday.
Ukraine benefited from the duty-free trade with Russia since 2011, when it became a member of the of the Commonwealth of Independent States, or CIS, free trade pact.
The suspension of the pact was triggered by “exceptional circumstances affecting the interests and economic security of Russia and requiring immediate action,” the decree said.
The move comes as the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on free trade zone enters into force on Jan.1, 2016 .
Russian repeatedly said Ukraine can't simultaneously be a part of the free-trade zone with the European Union and within the CIS.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
