Trade with Russia almost halved in past year - Kyiv

10:32, 02.02.2015 1 min read

Ukraine-Russia trade turnover almost halved in 2014 as the Ukrainian market turned towards its European partners, Ukrainian Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius said.

"Speaking of trade and economic relations with Russia, the situation changed rather a long time ago. Trade with Russia nearly halved last year," the minister said on the 1+1 channel on Sunday night.

Russia is no longer the large market it was several years ago, even for European nations, he said.

"Russia has always been a highly unpredictable partner. At any moment it may stop liking the taste of Georgian wine, Lithuanian dairy products or Ukrainian dairy and confectionary products. So, we have chosen Europe, and our exports to Europe grew approximately 10% last year. I think our companies should continue their re-orientation towards Western markets," Abromavicius said.

On the subject of the meaning of emergency economical measures put in place in eastern Ukraine, the minister said, "This will have no direct implications for the Ukrainian economy."