Photo from UNIAN
Ukrainian exports to Russia have decreased by 80% in recent years, accounting for only 9% of total export volumes in the country.
This was stated by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko while delivering a speech in parliament.
In this regard, the president stressed that the European market had become an alternative destination for Ukrainian products.
"The EU's share in total exports rose to 39.2%," Poroshenko said.
"Obviously, Russia is also implementing its economic aggression against our country," he added.
"At the beginning of the decade, almost one third of Ukrainian exports went to the Russian market. The Kremlin's attack began before the events on Maidan and restrictions were put in place which led to a drop in Ukrainian exports to the Russian Federation by 15% in 2013," the president said.
He added that last year, Ukrainian exports to Russia fell by 50%, as compared to 2014, while in the first six months of 2016 it dropped further, by 34%.
"Russia accounts for only 9% of Ukraine's export and the downward trend continues," Poroshenko said.
Read alsoUkraine's trade ministry won't interact with Russian envoy except on lifting restrictionsAs reported by UNIAN earlier, reciprocal trade restrictions between Ukraine and Russia were introduced in January this year.
Ukrainian producers sustained losses exceeding $1 billion due to Russian-imposed restrictions.
Further, on July 1, Russia imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Ukrainian goods through its territory.
The restrictions imposed earlier on Ukrainian goods heading to Kazakhstan are now also applicable to transit shipments to Kyrgyzstan.
The legislative changes also provide for a complete ban on the transit of embargoed goods or the use of respective customs duties.