Ukraine refuses to preside over CIS in 2014 – Ukraine's Foreign Ministry

15:32, 19.03.2014 1 min read

Ukraine has decided to end its presidency of the CIS in 2014, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has reported.

"Ukraine has decided not to continue its presidency of the CIS in 2014," Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis said on Wednesday.

According to him, the CIS, instead of fulfilling its main tasks, had become "an instrument for the implementation of the interests of individual members of the Commonwealth, in particular Russia."

Perebyinis said that because of the situation in Crimea, Ukraine insisted that the CIS adopt a resolution that condemns aggression. Kyiv relied on the fact that CIS organization is based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and the inviolability of borders.

"Unfortunately, recent events have proved the contrary," the diplomat said.

Despite Ukraine being one of the founders of the CIS, under the Belavezha Accords signed in 1991, it has not ratified the CIS charter and de jure is not a CIS member state.