REUTERS
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said he had signed a decree introducing a most favored nation regime instead of a free trade agreement with Ukraine, as well as imposing counter-sanctions against Kyiv fromJanuary 1, 2016, Russian news agency TASS reported.
"Starting from January 1, 2016 entry charges stipulated by the Eurasian Economic Union's common customs tariff will be applied to Ukraine... All preferential advantages will be a thing of the past, and no benefits will remain in place," Medvedev said at a meeting with his deputies.
The prime minister added that "starting from January 1, 2016 economic counter-measures will be imposed against Ukraine due to it joining anti-Russia sanctions imposed by the European Union and the U.S."
Read alsoUkraine prepares retaliatory measures in response to Russia's embargo"I just signed a relevant government decree," he said.
"We've repeatedly told Ukraine's authorities that implementation of the economic part of the association with the EU affects our interests and creates risk of economic instability for our country. Several rounds of talks have been held in vain, as neither Ukraine, nor the European Union are ready to sign the legally binding agreement, which would take into account the interests of the Russian Federation," Medvedev said.
It is reported that earlier Russian President [Vladimir Putin] signed a decree abolishing of the agreement on a free trade zone regarding Ukraine starting from January 1 "due to exceptional circumstances affecting the interests and economic security of the Russian Federation, requiring immediate measures," after which the bill was submitted for consideration of the State Duma.