You're reading: Kuchma says choice between free trade area with EU and Customs Union is difficult for Kyiv

Second Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma (1994-2005) has said that the choice between a free trade area with the EU and the Customs Union is very difficult for Ukraine, because Kyiv is not sure that the promises made by these organizations will be fulfilled.

"I think that the Ukrainian leadership is in a very difficult position. We must take a political decision, but there is no certainty that on the one hand and on the other hand, those assurances and those promises will be fulfilled," he told journalists during a reception hosted by the Russian Embassy in Ukraine on the occasion of Russia Day in Kyiv on Friday.

Kuchma also added: "Of course, I would like the level [of Russian-Ukrainian relations] to be much better, and I think that Ukraine would also like it to be better. I still believe that Ukraine has no future without Russia."