You're reading: Communist Symonenko: Europe, Russia should cooperate with Ukraine on equal terms

Leader of the Communist Party of Ukraine Petro Symonenko has said that the European Union and Russia should cooperate with Ukraine on equal terms.

“The interests of the Ukrainian people, and not that of transnational corporations and oligarchs, should dictate the foreign policy [of the country],” Symonenko said in Donetsk, the party’s press service reported on Friday.

According to the politician, discussions of various strategic foreign policy choices and economic policies should not be limited to just abstract debates about “European values” or “Slavic unity.” He said such discussions should be based on specific economic calculations and opportunities, as well as on a deep analysis of short-term prospects from the viewpoint of protecting the national interests of Ukraine.

“No political force, apart from the Communist Party, has proposed a program that is both economically calculated and supported by legal initiatives for the restoration and development of Ukraine for more than 20 years, considering its integration into the global system as a full member in international relations. Bourgeois parties gradually surrendered the interests of our people and Ukraine to foreign states represented by the WTO, the IMF, and NATO,” he said.

At the same time, Symonenko stressed that his party does not oppose a Ukraine-EU partnership.

“I’m stressing once again that we do not oppose a constructive partnership with the EU,” he said.

“Anyway, we should always be focused on the things that could bring benefit to Ukraine. Both Europe and Russia should cooperate with us on equal terms, instead of dictating their conditions,” Symonenko said.