Aivaras Abromavicius / Photo from UNIAN
The transit of Ukrainian goods to third countries, including Kazakhstan and China, through the Russian territory amounts to about $1.8 billion annually, Ukraine's Minister of Economic Development and Trade Aivaras Abromavicius said at a press conference in Kyiv.
However, the minister stressed that this sum should not be viewed as losses to the Ukrainian exporters, since most of them have already found alternative routes to transport their goods.
Abromavicius pointed to new opportunities that may also arise for the countries of Caucasus, like transporting goods through the "Silk Road."
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Russian Federation completely stopped transit of Ukrainian goods through its territory from January 4, 2016. All 25 checkpoints on the Russian-Ukrainian border have been closed for the Ukrainian exports. Transportation of goods is possible through two crossing points on the border between Belarus and Russia. However, Russia may impose various restrictions for cargo at border crossing, including requirements to arrange a convoy or a change of drivers for the Russian nationals.
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An experimental piolt freight train heading from Ukraine for China via Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan departed from the Ukrainian port city of Illichivsk in Odesa region on Friday, January 15.