MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. Russia’s Federation Council (upper house) Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Konstantin Kosachev said on Thursday Ukraine’s decision to renounce the non-bloc status is a mistake and runs against the country’s interests.
“It is difficult to call this decision populist because populist decisions should meet the sentiments of the majority of people,” Kosachev said.
“But now this is the attitude of the parliamentary majority that can hardly represent the majority of the population of Ukraine,” he said.
“I consider this decision wrong. It runs against the Ukrainian interests. But I understand well that the Ukrainian parliament has the right to adopt any decisions,” Kosachev added.
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“Even if Ukrainian politicians try to implement this decision in such accelerated regime, they are in for a big disappointment because nobody expects Ukraine in NATO: officials of the Alliance have made corresponding statements,” he said.
“Common sense will return to the Ukrainian parliament sooner or later,” he said.
Sooner or later Ukraine will understand its real interests. First of all, it should establish normal and good-neighbourly relations with Russia. “We are ready for this,” Kosachev said.
“As soon as our Ukrainian partners are ready, I’m sure, the situation can move forward,” he said.
The improvement of relations with the Verkhovna Rada is among priorities of the committee, Kosachev said.