The Russian Foreign Ministry warned Kyiv about unpredictable consequences following the rupture of the Great Treaty
In Kyiv, the fate of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership with the Russian Federation is considered decided.
According to Kommersant, a source in the Ukrainian presidential administration called the termination of this agreement logical.
“We have already canceled the agreement on economic cooperation with Russia, which was not in effect. Now we are talking about terminating the so-called big Ukrainian-Russian treaty. Considering that Russia itself violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine, we consider it logical to terminate this document. The technical approval stages are currently underway. We think that the president will approve this decision in the coming months,” the official said.
In turn, an interlocutor close to the Ukrainian parliamentary committee on foreign affairs noted that the decision on the denunciation of the treaty entirely depends on Petro Poroshenko, whose decision will be supported by the Rada.
“The proposal to denounce the treaty was submitted to our committee by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin. There are two ways. The contract is either renewed by default or terminated upon expiration of the ten-year period, but no later than six months before the end of this period. The previous extension took place in December 2008. That is, it has already been extended until December 2018. It can either be extended by default for the next ten years, or we must notify the Russian side in writing at the end of May that we are withdrawing,” the deputy said.
He also added that proposals have been prepared for Ukraine’s withdrawal from the CIS structures.
And Deputy Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, State Secretary Grigory Karasin said that Moscow is ready for any scenario.
“Over the past four years, Kyiv has accustomed us to any, even the most unpleasant, surprises. It is obvious that the denunciation of the big agreement of 1997 will lead to even greater unpredictability of the entire complex of bilateral Russian-Ukrainian relations. Everyone who conducts such conversations must understand their responsibility,” Karasin warned.
Another interlocutor at the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Russia does not intend to take any steps towards terminating the treaty.
“We do not support the idea of breaking the contractual basis. It’s all Ukraine that’s tearing it up, not us,” said the Russian diplomat.
At the same time, he added that if Kyiv decides to offer Moscow a new version of the document, the Russian Foreign Ministry will be ready to familiarize itself with it.
“They can include a clause confirming territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders. Such formulations are unacceptable to us. But we will be ready to look at this matter,” the diplomat said.
The publication also indicates that Russia considers October 1 to be the deadline for notification of denunciation of the treaty, which is automatically extended for a new ten-year period if six months before the end of its validity neither party declares a desire to denounce it. Russia and Ukraine exchanged instruments of ratification on April 1, 1999, which is why Moscow considers October 1 to be the deadline for filing an application to withdraw from the treaty.
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned Kyiv of unpredictable consequences following the rupture of the Grand Treaty.