You're reading: Yanukovych aware of threat of Ukrainian economy’s absorption by Russia

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has acknowledged that there is a threat that Russia could absorb the Ukrainian economy.

"There is such a threat as absorption of the Ukrainian economy by Russia. It does exist, but Ukraine is so much integrated in the global economy that this has little influence today. But we are following this. And Russia understands this. I have said repeatedly: You are so big, yield to us on this matter or the other. This has always been so. And, by the way, they are sticking to this," Yanukovych said on TV talk show Shuster Live.

Russia does not always agree to this, "but we try to persuade them by presenting facts and examples that this is beneficial to Russia as well," Yanukovych said.

"It’s beneficial to them that Ukraine should develop, because this is a colossal consumer market. And it’s beneficial to us that Russia should develop as well, because we have $40-billion trade turnover with them," he said.

Yanukovych also said he is maintaining permanent contact with the Russian president and prime minister.

"We have had very few sweet conversations. We have had a lot of principled conversations, and, naturally, each defends their own national interests," he said.
Yanukovych’s pre-recorded interview with the talk show host Savik Shuster aired on Ukrainian television on Friday evening.