Ukraine Says Russia Launching 'Trade War' Over EU Ambitions
(Vatican Radio) Russia has denied it is waging a trade war with Ukraine to keep its
former Soviet neighbour from establishing closer political and economic ties with
the European Union.
Business leaders say restrictions that Moscow slapped
on Ukrainian products this week have left scores of trains and trucks queued at the
border.
Ukrainian politicians have accused Russia of starting a trade war
to pressure the country against signing a cooperation pact with the European Union
later this year.
The Ukrainian policy is seen as part of wider efforts to
reduce Ukraine's dependence on Russia's market end energy.
ENDING STAND-OFF?
Yet, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov says he wants to try to end the
border chaos caused by the stand-off.
Speaking to reporters Azarov said "there
are difficulties" which "are linked to the creation of a Customs Union," referring
to the Moscow-led alliance which Russia wants Ukraine to join.
Last month,
Russia even banned chocolate and other confectionery imports from Ukraine, citing
safety concerns.
That move came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin
failed to persuade his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich to rethink his Ukraine's
European policies.
CONTROLS CONTINUE
However "As soon as we are persuaded
that everything is ok, we will cancel our controls,” claimed Gennady Onishchenko,
Russia’s chief public health official.
Analysts have expressed worries that
the stand-off could cost Ukrainian companies up to $2.4 billion in losses at a time
when the country already faces a deep economic crisis.
Though Ukraine's and
Russia's presidents have discussed the issue over the phone Friday, tensions continue.