12.09 Russia Warns Ukraine of Tough Response to EU Association Pact

BRUSSELS, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will impose duties on imports from Ukraine and toughen customs and sanitary controls over Ukrainian goods from November 1 if compromise on Ukraine-EU association is not reached, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Friday.

“We are seeking compromises in this difficult situation…It is our last chance,” Ulyukayev told reporters prior to the second round of trilateral ministerial talks on Ukraine-EU association agreement.

“If our partners refuse to listen to our arguments or consider them unconvincing, we will have to take protective measures,” the minister said.

“If the ratification of the agreement takes place on September 17-18 with all remaining controversial issues that worry us, and if the agreement comes into force on November 1, we will introduce protective measures on the same date,” he stressed.