[Translation from Russian to English ] "If Ukraine signs a free trade agreement with the European Union, then it bec...

Original text

"Если Украина подписывает договор о зоне свободной торговли с Евросоюзом, то она берет на себя обязательство через два месяца после ратификации этого соглашения обнулить таможенные ставки на 85%, а еще через три года довести это обнуление до 95-98%", - заявил Путин в ходе визита в Италию.
"Это значит, что если мы сохраним зону свободной торговли с Украиной, у нас есть все основания полагать, что товары европейского происхождения напрямую, транзитом через территорию Украины будут поступать на наш рынок. Это представляет для нашей экономики большую угрозу", - полагает российский президент.
По мнению Путина, этот вопрос Украина, Россия и Евросоюз могли бы обсудить в ходе трехсторонних переговоров.

Translation / English

"If Ukraine signs a free trade agreement with the European Union, then it becomes liable, two months after the ratification of the agreement, to zero out tariff rates on 85%, and after further three years extend the zero rates to 95-98%", - announced Putin during a visit to Italy.
"This means that if we keep the free trade zone with Ukraine, we have all reasons to assume that goods of European origin directly, in transit through Ukrainian territory, will be delivered to our market. This poses a big threat to our economy", - believes the Russian president.
In Putin's opinion, this issue could have been discussed between Ukraine, Russia and the European Union during the tripartite negotiations.

Translation / English

"If Ukraine signs the free trade agreement with the EU, then it takes on the responsibility to reduce customs by 85% within two months of ratification, and in three years lower them to 95-98%", says Putin, while accosted on his trip in Italy.
"This means that if we uphold a free trade zone with Ukraine, we have reason to believe that goods from EU will enter our market directly, in transit from the territory of Ukraine. This constitutes a grave threat to the domestic economy", claims the Russian president.
In Putin's view, this matter could have been discussed by the EU, Russia, and Ukraine in diplomatic conferences.

Original text

Россия, продолжил Владимир Путин, недополучила свыше 10 млрд долларов из-за скидки на газ для Украины, предоставленной в обмен на продление пребывания российского Черноморского флота в Крыму.
Кроме того, украинские заемщики должны Сбербанку, ВЭБу, ВТБ и Газпромбанку около 30 млрд долларов, напомнил российский лидер.
По словам Путина, он не обсуждал с президентом Украины Виктором Януковичем вопрос о возможном пересмотре газового контракта с Украиной в ответ на отказ Киева заключить соглашение об ассоциации с Евросоюзом.
Накануне украинский премьер-министр Николай Азаров рассказал, что отложить подписание соглашения Украины об ассоциации с Евросоюзом требовала Россия.

Translation / English

Russia, Vladimir Putin continued, has sustained a loss of more than 10 billion dollars due to the discounts on gas for Ukraine, provided in exchange for an extension of stay of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.
Moreover, Ukrainian borrowers owe Sberbank, VEB, VTB and Gazprombank about 30 billion dollars, reminded the Russian leader.
According to Putin, he has not discussed with the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, a possible review of the gas contract with Ukraine in response to Kiev's refusal to conclude an association agreement with the European Union.
The day prior, Ukrainian Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov, had told that Ukraine's postponement in signing the association agreement with the European Union was demanded by Russia .

Translation / English

"Russia", Vladimir Putin continued, "sustained a loss of more than $ 10 billion because of the discount on gas for Ukraine provided in exchange for an extension of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea." In addition, Ukrainian borrowers owe Sberbank, VEB, VTB and Gazprombank about 30 billion dollars, reminded the Russian leader.
Putin said he did not discuss with the President of Ukraine - Viktor Yanukovych a possible revision of the gas contract with Ukraine in Kiev's refusal to conclude an association agreement with the EU. On the eve, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said that Ukraine's agreement to postpone the signing of the association with the European Union demanded Russia.