Ukraine's decision to initiate the revision of tariffs within the World Trade Organization (WTO) is absolutely lawful, as the country is acting in its own interests, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs Leonid Kozhara has said.

"We should proceed from our own interests… There are no rules in the world that could make a country voluntarily refuse to protect its producers, its industry, and its jobs. No one in the world does so, especially during a crisis," he said at an international conference in Kyiv on Tuesday.

According to Kozhara, Ukraine should follow the principle of "economic selfishness," which means that the country should strive for the most favorable trade conditions with the EU, as well as the Eastern markets, for the sake of its own survival.

"This means that Ukraine will never escape from the institutionalization of its trade relations with the Customs Union. And our president is absolutely right – if this contributes to our goods entering this market then we should get closer to the Customs Union, and consider possibly accepting some of its regulations and standards," he said.

Kozhara said Ukraine's actions should not be considered anti-European or in opposition to Ukraine's movement towards European integration.

As reported, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine said that Kyiv requested an increase in customs tariffs within the WTO due to the sharp economic situation in the country and existing threats.

The ministry said such a step was well grounded and in line with the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade within the WTO.