Russia Describes Negative Impacts of Ukraine Participating in EU

Liputan6.com, Jakarta People often wonder the underlying reasons as to the crisis in Ukraine and most of them make hasty assumption by directly associating it with Russia. 

To certain extent, it is true that Russia has something to do with the crisis, however it does not mean that it is the one that initiates it but more on due to the fact that the two share many background and ties in various aspects that the impacts can be felt in both countries.

The Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mikhael Galuzin in a special interview with Liputan6.com for 'The Ambassador' program kindly explained the reason behind the crisis in Ukraine is not merely due to territorial disputes. 

He took the time to clarify such shallow interpretation of the Ukrainian crisis and went to elucidate that there are two other fundamental issues that led to the turmoil which many people failed to see.

"Due to purely genuine domestic circumstances in Ukraine, this country experience many political turmoil during 25 years of Ukraine’s existence as an independent state after the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991," Ambassador Mikhael explained in 'The Ambassador' program of Liputan6.com on June 26 2015.

This is one of the many truths that people often overlooked. Due to the political and economic instability in Ukraine, the nation is plagued with a series of conflict and uncertainty. 

This is one proof that Russia is not largely responsible for the crisis within Ukraine, it is because the governing authority in that particular nation lacks the preparation to address these two fundamental issues.

The second one is basically associated with the hitherto political and economic instability of that particular nation. 

These crises according to Ambassador Mikhael, have 'led to great aggravation and great worsening of relationship between the government and the society in Ukraine'.

"Ukraine during this half quarter of the century, 25 years of independence wanted to be part of the European Union which is not actually bad for Russian and we think it was up to Ukrainian people to decide which international institution to be associated with, it is the sovereign right of the Ukrainian people," he further explained.

The eagerness for Ukraine to join the European Union is acceptable for Russia but the immediate repercussion to the Russian economic interest is at stake here, Ambassador Mikhael commented.

By the end of 2013, Ukraine has reportedly come very close to signing association agreement with the EU and Russia is very much worried by the fact that such signing would be detrimental to its economy.

"We have free trade zone with Ukraine, this Free Trade Zone was established by the request of Ukraine and so can imagine what kind of impact there could be on Russian economy if Ukraine signs agreement with EU and has free trade with them?" he further explained.

"It will mean that the goods and other industrial, agricultural items from the EU will freely come to the Ukraine and then through the FTZ between Russia and Ukraine will freely come to Russia which means apparent damage to certain Russian industries and companies," he added.

Responding to such imminent unwanted condition, Ambassador Mikhael claimed that Russia has kindly asked for both Ukraine and the EU to launch trilateral consultation between the involving parties to examine further the impact there would be on Russian economy if Ukraine finally decides to be part of this association agreement.

According to Ambassador Mikhael, both Ukraine and the EU informed how such matter is not for Russia to focus on and requested for Russia to 'back off'. 

This has come to be a great insult on the Russian side and therefore now it can be understood that Russia is concern not just because of its parochial interest on Crimea but that it touches sensitive issue that may have detrimental impact to its economy. (Akp/Rie)