BISHKEK, Oct 13 Ukraine has always tried to hold on aside from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), while pushing the issue of a free trade zone, believing that this was of some economic interest to it, until it moved towards joining the European Union, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
«Ukraine once signed an agreement and all the statutory documents of the CIS, but did not ratify it. Ukraine never ratified it. It always tried to stay on the sidelines. As for the free trade zone. Yes, Ukraine was once very active in this direction and simply pushed for a free trade zone, believing that this was of some economic interest for it. But then everything went towards signing an association agreement with the European Union, and then led to a coup d'état,» Putin said at a press conference following his visit to Kyrgyzstan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan. The head of state took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and also held negotiations with the leader of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and took part in a gala event marking the 20th anniversary of the Russian airbase in Kant, Kyrgyzstan.< br>