You're reading: Tymoshenko: Delayed enforcement of FTA provisions with EU could play into Russia’s hands

Leader of the Batkivschyna Party Yulia Tymoshenko welcomed the ratification of the European Union - Ukraine Association Agreement, but is disappointed that the implementation of the provision on the free trade zone has been delayed until Dec. 31, 2015.

Tymoshenko attacked the Ukrainian leadership for having lost three months leaving the agreement without ratification, and praised Moldova and Georgia for doing so within a few days. She said the three months were used by Russia “in order to persuade the European Union to put off the enforcement of the association agreement by 18 months.”

“Our association agreement was turned into a bargaining chip in the Minsk talks, therefore today, simultaneously with ratification, the enforcement of the association agreement is being put off by 18 months in a move approved by the foreign minister and the Ukrainian president,” she said.

There is a huge chance that Russia will use all levers of influence over these 18 months to “nullify this agreement and the strategic course towards joining the European Union,” Tymoshenko said.

She said the president should not have decided to delay the enforcement of the agreement by 18 months on his own, but should have initiated a debate on the issue.