Russian President Vladimir Putin — embroiled in an a bitter standoff with Western governments over Ukraine — said his country does not oppose moves by ex-Soviet states to establish closer economic ties with the West.
But he told leaders of 11 Commonwealth of Independent States on Friday that he faults member-states for not considering the risks of such moves to the Russian economy.
Ukraine — seeking greater economic prosperity and stability — signed a historic free trade agreement with the European Union in June, after rejecting Kremlin overtures to form a customs union with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Ahead of the …read more
Source: Voice of America
