Ukraine Declares Intent to Leave CIS - Why is Kiev so Hell-Bent on Shooting Itself in the Foot?
Ukraine is going to deliver another serious blow to itself. President Poroshenko announced today that he had charged the government with preparing proposals for the country's exit from the Commonwealth of Independent States, and that a bill to terminate the Treaty on Friendship with Russia would be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada.
Tatyana Remezova will figure out who will suffer more damages.
- Tatyana, will the CIS last without Ukraine?
- Paradoxically, Ukraine is legally not a CIS member. At the Kiev security forum, Poroshenko demanded to close the representation to the CIS and check if the contracts comply with national interests.
Pyotr Poroshenko, Ukraine's president: "I demand that the government and I prepare proposals to officially withdraw from the CIS constituent bodies and to close the Ukrainian representation to the relevant institutions in Minsk".
And it was Ukrainian President Kravchuk who was among the three leaders who signed the Belavezha Accords in December 1991. The Ukrainian Supreme Council ratified them unlike the CIS charter, that's why Ukraine isn't de jure a CIS member. Though it ripped benefits from the membership.
They managed to play a double game until 2014. In March, after the Crimean referendum, the National Security and Defense Council decided to terminate the Ukrainian presidency in the CIS, while NSDC Secretary Parubiy said that the country launched the withdrawal from the organization. In November 2016, the bill was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, but for some reason, it wasn't considered until now.
- But why did Kiev step up right now? What does it lose by leaving the CIS?
- It depends on the scenario chosen. If a political scenario plays out, Ukraine will slam out, preserving all the contracts concluded within the CIS. The second scenario is more painful. It is about denouncing the agreements, for example, those on the recognition of diplomas, retirement benefits while moving country and medical aid. Moreover, the CIS accounts for 16% of Ukraine's exports. Kiev will be deprived of many rights and opportunities.
Nikolai Azarov, head of the Savior of Ukraine Committee: "Heeding Ukraine's shattered economy, it loses the partners with whom it has worked for years. The turnover with the CIS countries exceeds $12 billion, which is a very large amount that Ukraine won't be able to make up for elsewhere".
Ukraine was expected to attend the meeting of the CIS Council of Ministers in Minsk last week. A chair, a sign plate, and the flag were all prepared according to protocol. But Ukraine never showed up.
Sergey Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs: "All our colleagues expressed an interest in Ukraine fully cooperating with its neighbors. Kiev is well aware of this position, but it seems to be busy doing what they deem more important than developing its own economy and social sphere and promoting the demands of its citizens".
Poroshenko's escapade can be a gas blackmail. Kiev hasn't yet submitted the official notification to the Executive Committee about its withdrawal from the CIS.
- Thanks, Tatyana. It was our observer Tatyana Remezova.