MINSK - Banned re-export of goods from the European Union are coming via Belarus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting between Customs Union presidents and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko attended by European Commission representatives.
“Goods from the EU banned from supply to Russia are proceeding even today within the Customs Union already. Unfortunately, in this case via Belarus,” Putin said.
“Here you are, the label: country of origin – Belarus. The label is off – and it’s Poland,” Putin said.
Following Ukraine’s association with the EU, there will be tens of times more of such re-exported goods, which will simply “flood” Russia, he said.
“I know that the leadership of Belarus, both the government and the president, are trying to prevent this negative and unlawful practice. We at least have an agreement with them, but there is none with Ukraine,” Putin said.
Putin said he hoped the participants in the Minsk meeting on Aug. 26 would have a constructive conversation in which Russia’s partners would hear all of its arguments.
“On the whole, we favor arranging closer interaction between the EU and the Eurasian economic association,” he said.
