Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Trade and Ukraine`s Trade Envoy Nataliya Mykolska has said her ministry has not had any contact with Dmitry Livanov, newly appointed trade representative of Russia in Ukraine, yet, but if it happens, the focus will be on lifting Russian trade restrictions and sanctions against Ukraine.
”We will firstly work with him on issues related to the lifting of trade barriers imposed on Ukrainian goods,” she told reporters on Thursday.
”If he [Livanov] gets in touch, we`ll communicate mainly on the restrictions. But all contact will proceed in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she added.
She said the appointment of the Russian trade envoy would not lead to suspension of Ukraine`s work within the World Trade Organization (WTO).
”New restrictions have been imposed. There are reports today that the limitations are applied to fodder, including the feedstuff for domestic animals,” she stated.
As UNIAN reported, former Russian Education and Science Minister Dmitry Livanov was in August appointed the Russian president`s special representative for trade and economic relations with Ukraine.
Ukraine and Russia imposed mutual trade restrictions in January 2016 after Ukraine introduced a free trade area with the European Union.
Russia considerably restricted exports of Ukrainian goods and slapped a full embargo on Ukrainian foods. In July, Russia tightened its trade policy with Ukraine, blocking transit shipments of Ukrainian goods across its territory. The most affected routes were to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Losses incurred by Ukrainian producers due to Russia`s sanctions exceed $1 billion, according to various estimates.
