Iskander Khisamov, director of the Expert Council Analytical Center, has commented on Ukraine’s plans to quit the CIS. In his words, Kiev viewed the CIS as a format for relations with Russia. Ukraine considers Russia an aggressor and expected no benefit from further cooperation, said the expert. He predicts that Ukraine will turn into an appendage of Europe eventually.
Alexander Markov, director of the Armenian branch of the Institute for CIS Countries, expressed confidence that the CIS will survive, economic cooperation will continue, unlike with Georgia when it quit the organization.
Alexander Gusev, head of the Center for Strategic Studies of CIS Countries of the RAS Institute of Europe, noted that there were no technical problems for Ukraine to quit the CIS. It was one of the founders of the organization and had not ratified the charter. The analyst said that Ukraine had lost 2.5 billion euros for announcing withdrawal alone, the sum will reach 9 billion euros. Russia will lose about 2.5 billion euros, Kazakhstan 1 billion euros. Ukraine will face the biggest hit, he supposes, because it exports up to 70% of agricultural products to Russia.
Galym Baytuk, a Kazakh political analyst, pointed out that Kazakhstan will have minimal losses. He clarified that the Kazakh-Ukrainian trade turnover totaled only $1 billion and had dropped by 25% in 2013. Kazakhstan is increasing own agricultural output. The expert reminded that the CIS was also strengthened by the CSTO, Customs Union and will be even more firm with the help of the Eurasian Union. He does not expect any change after withdrawal of Ukraine.
Alexander Gusev said that withdrawal of Ukraine would put an end to partnership with Russia and other CIS members, while Russia will build a new constructive model. Gusev noted that President Vladimir Putin was not accused of rebuilding the USSR for nothing. The analyst believes that the reconstruction would be impossible without Ukraine. He warned that Ukraine would be lost without economic ties.
Iskander Khisamov, director of the Expert Council Analytical Center, has commented on Ukraine’s plans to quit the CIS. In his words, Kiev viewed the CIS as a format for relations with Russia. Ukraine considers Russia an aggressor and expected no benefit from further cooperation, said the expert. He predicts that Ukraine will turn into an appendage of Europe eventually.Alexander Markov, director of the Armenian branch of the Institute for CIS Countries, expressed confidence that the CIS will survive, economic cooperation will continue, unlike with Georgia when it quit the organization.Alexander Gusev, head of the Center for Strategic Studies of CIS Countries of the RAS Institute of Europe, noted that there were no technical problems for Ukraine to quit the CIS. It was one of the founders of the organization and had not ratified the charter. The analyst said that Ukraine had lost 2.5 billion euros for announcing withdrawal alone, the sum will reach 9 billion euros. Russia will lose about 2.5 billion euros, Kazakhstan 1 billion euros. Ukraine will face the biggest hit, he supposes, because it exports up to 70% of agricultural products to Russia.Galym Baytuk, a Kazakh political analyst, pointed out that Kazakhstan will have minimal losses. He clarified that the Kazakh-Ukrainian trade turnover totaled only $1 billion and had dropped by 25% in 2013. Kazakhstan is increasing own agricultural output. The expert reminded that the CIS was also strengthened by the CSTO, Customs Union and will be even more firm with the help of the Eurasian Union. He does not expect any change after withdrawal of Ukraine.Alexander Gusev said that withdrawal of Ukraine would put an end to partnership with Russia and other CIS members, while Russia will build a new constructive model. Gusev noted that President Vladimir Putin was not accused of rebuilding the USSR for nothing. The analyst believes that the reconstruction would be impossible without Ukraine. He warned that Ukraine would be lost without economic ties
