Sergey Lavrov

And at some point when he was meeting with Russian counterparts, we told him, you have already, Ukraine had, was part of the free trade area of the Commonwealth of Independent States, no tariffs for everybody. And we, Russia, negotiated agreement with World Trade Organization.

And at some point when he was meeting with Russian counterparts, we told him, you have already, Ukraine had, was part of the free trade area of the Commonwealth of Independent States, no tariffs for everybody. And we, Russia, negotiated agreement with World Trade Organization.

And at some point when he was meeting with Russian counterparts, we told him, you have already, Ukraine had, was part of the free trade area of the Commonwealth of Independent States, no tariffs for everybody. And we, Russia, negotiated agreement with World Trade Organization.

for some 15, 17 years, mostly because we bargained with European Union and we achieved some protection for many of our sectors, agriculture, some others. And we explained to the Ukrainians that if you go zero in your trade with European Union, we would have to protect our customs border with Ukraine.

for some 15, 17 years, mostly because we bargained with European Union and we achieved some protection for many of our sectors, agriculture, some others. And we explained to the Ukrainians that if you go zero in your trade with European Union, we would have to protect our customs border with Ukraine.

for some 15, 17 years, mostly because we bargained with European Union and we achieved some protection for many of our sectors, agriculture, some others. And we explained to the Ukrainians that if you go zero in your trade with European Union, we would have to protect our customs border with Ukraine.

Otherwise the zero tariff European goods would flood and would be hurting our industries, which we tried to protect and agreed for some protection. Then we suggested to the European Union, guys, Ukraine is our common neighbor. You want to have better trade with Ukraine. We want the same. Ukraine want to have markets both in Europe and in Russia.

Otherwise the zero tariff European goods would flood and would be hurting our industries, which we tried to protect and agreed for some protection. Then we suggested to the European Union, guys, Ukraine is our common neighbor. You want to have better trade with Ukraine. We want the same. Ukraine want to have markets both in Europe and in Russia.

Otherwise the zero tariff European goods would flood and would be hurting our industries, which we tried to protect and agreed for some protection. Then we suggested to the European Union, guys, Ukraine is our common neighbor. You want to have better trade with Ukraine. We want the same. Ukraine want to have markets both in Europe and in Russia.

Why don't we see three of us and discuss it like grownups? The head of the European Commission was the Portuguese, Barroso was his name. And he responded. you know, it's none of your business what we do with Ukraine. We, for example, we, the European Union, we don't ask you to discuss with us your trade with China. Absolutely arrogant answer.

Why don't we see three of us and discuss it like grownups? The head of the European Commission was the Portuguese, Barroso was his name. And he responded. you know, it's none of your business what we do with Ukraine. We, for example, we, the European Union, we don't ask you to discuss with us your trade with China. Absolutely arrogant answer.

Why don't we see three of us and discuss it like grownups? The head of the European Commission was the Portuguese, Barroso was his name. And he responded. you know, it's none of your business what we do with Ukraine. We, for example, we, the European Union, we don't ask you to discuss with us your trade with China. Absolutely arrogant answer.

And then the president of Ukraine, Yanukovych, he convinced his experts, and the experts said, yes, it would be not very good if we have opened the border with European Union. the customs border with Russia would be closed and they would be checking, you know, what is coming so that the Russian market is not affected. And he announced in November 2013 that he cannot sign the deal immediately.

And then the president of Ukraine, Yanukovych, he convinced his experts, and the experts said, yes, it would be not very good if we have opened the border with European Union. the customs border with Russia would be closed and they would be checking, you know, what is coming so that the Russian market is not affected. And he announced in November 2013 that he cannot sign the deal immediately.

And then the president of Ukraine, Yanukovych, he convinced his experts, and the experts said, yes, it would be not very good if we have opened the border with European Union. the customs border with Russia would be closed and they would be checking, you know, what is coming so that the Russian market is not affected. And he announced in November 2013 that he cannot sign the deal immediately.

And he asked the European Union to postpone it for next year, until next year. That was the trigger for Maidan, which was immediately thrown up and ended by the coup. My point is that this either-or, actually, the first coup took place in 2004. When after second round of elections, the same Mr. Yanukovych won presidency, the West raised hell and put pressure on the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

And he asked the European Union to postpone it for next year, until next year. That was the trigger for Maidan, which was immediately thrown up and ended by the coup. My point is that this either-or, actually, the first coup took place in 2004. When after second round of elections, the same Mr. Yanukovych won presidency, the West raised hell and put pressure on the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

And he asked the European Union to postpone it for next year, until next year. That was the trigger for Maidan, which was immediately thrown up and ended by the coup. My point is that this either-or, actually, the first coup took place in 2004. When after second round of elections, the same Mr. Yanukovych won presidency, the West raised hell and put pressure on the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

to rule that there must be a third round. And the Constitution of Ukraine says two rounds. And the Constitutional Court, under the pressure of the West, violated the Constitution for the first time then. And pro-Western candidate was chosen. At that time, when all this was taking place and boiling,

to rule that there must be a third round. And the Constitution of Ukraine says two rounds. And the Constitutional Court, under the pressure of the West, violated the Constitution for the first time then. And pro-Western candidate was chosen. At that time, when all this was taking place and boiling,