In recent years Ukraine has sustained very serious losses due to economic pressure from Russia and, taking into account the introduction of response sanctions by Kyiv, they could be assessed at up to $7 billion, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday.
"No doubt, Russia will continue on the course it started a decade ago, banning Ukrainian imports, cutting cooperation with Ukraine, pressuring and blackmailing. In the worst-case scenario for Ukraine in the first year the losses, which could emerge not only due to sanctions but also due to the Kremlin's aggressive policy, could be $7 billion," the prime minister said.
International financial assistance and opening up European markets is essential for Ukraine in this situation, Yatseniuk said.
