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Ukraine wants to withdraw from CIS under influence of Western curators — Russian lawmaker

Senators like John McCain would like Ukraine to withdraw from every organization of which Russia is a member, Russian State Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky believes

© EPA/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

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Possible withdrawal from CIS to weaken Ukraine’s economy — Russian lawmaker

MOSCOW, December 15 /TASS/. Ukraine wants to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) under influence of Western curators, Russian State Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky said on Monday.

“Kiev is reflecting the position which the West is dictating to it,” Slutskiy, the head of the Russian State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Compatriots residing abroad, told a news conference.

“I think that senators like (John) McCain would like Ukraine to withdraw from every organization of which Russia is a member. The onIy thing I do not know is how to be with the United Nations,” Slutsky said.

Slutsky described Ukraine’s attempts to withdraw from the CIS as “rabid marginal positions which should not be taken seriously.”

“We should be able to understand where they are coming from and what prospects they have. Ukraine will not benefit from pulling out of the CIS,” Slutsky said in conclusion.

Ukraine’s parliament (Verkhovnaya Rada) on Monday registered a bill on Ukraine’s withdrawal from the CIS.

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Ukraine Leonid Slutsky CIS

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