Expert says Russia should improve its reputation in EU

The head of the Russian-Ukrainian Information Centre, Oleg Bondarenko, says the Ukrainian government's decision not to sign the associate membership agreement with the EU at the Vilnius summit of Eastern Partnership doesn't mean that the country has changed its foreign policy and stopped the process of European integration.

According to the expert, the only way for Russia to have good relations with such former Soviet republics as Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus is to establish successful ties with the European Union.

In such circumstances it's very important to improve Russia's reputation in the EU and to establish pro-Russian lobbying groups in European bodies such as the European Parliament and the European Commission, Bondarenko believes.