Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that Ukraine has all the opportunities to build bilateral relations with partner countries, and for this purpose it does not need any "artificial entities like the CIS," the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers has reported.

Groysman said on Wednesday, May 2, at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) devoted to the sanctions policy and Ukraine's withdrawal from the CIS bodies, that the policy of sanctions against individuals and legal entities of Russia, which was recognized as an aggressor country against Ukraine, should be continued and strengthened.

"We have a full understanding of the fact that the aggressor country should bear responsibility and pay a high price for what they did on the territory of our state. The government considered the decision to extend sanctions and put forward its proposals to the NSDC. Anyone who is involved in any crimes, which are supported by Russia, must be severely punished," Groysman said.

He also added that "there can be no cooperation with the aggressor," so the decision on Ukraine's withdrawal from the CIS bodies is fair.

"We have all the opportunities to build bilateral relations with partners without artificial entities like the CIS," he said.

Groysman also spoke about the elections to merged territorial communities on April 29, which, "according to experts' estimates, have become one of the dirtiest after the Revolution of Dignity."

The head of government stressed that law enforcement agencies were already involved in investigations.

"We approved the draft law on responsibility (for illegal actions during the elections), and when we make it law, the situation will improve. If you buy votes, you'll be in prison," Groysman added.