You're reading: Lukashenko: Despite EU association agreement, Ukraine forced to cooperate with Eurasian Economic Union

Despite the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, Ukraine will be forced to cooperate with the Eurasian Economic Union states, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

“And whatever events happen there amid the association agreement with the European Union and other things, Ukrainians have always had pragmatism and they can not escape cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union,” state mass media outlets quoted Lukashenko as saying in Minsk on July 17 at a meeting with chiefs of Belarusian diplomatic missions and consulates.

“The economy will dictate conditions for politicians, including for Ukraine,” he said.

“So we should work actively,” Lukashenko said.

Belarus will continue to enhance strategic partnerships with Russia, Lukashenko said. “We will continue to place a strategic stake on Russia. Why should I convince you? We do not have another alternative,” he said.

“And why should we avoid normal relations with our friendly state, which is always ready and give a shoulder to us as nobody else?” the Belarusian president said.

The potential of the Union State has not been exhausted, Lukashenko said. “So we will enhance our strategic partnership with Russia,” he said.

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