UA EN

Kremlin attempts to preserve influence on former Soviet republics with help of “health” regulations

The pipes will follow Roshen, than cheeses, than something else. The Kremlin attempts not to let the former Soviet republics from the sphere of its influence.

Former Foreign Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Ohryzko has said about this in comments to the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on the occasion of Rospotrebnadzor's current claims to Ukrainian producers.

“In my opinion, there can be no random coincidence in Onishchenko's statement. The pipes will follow Roshen, than the cheeses will come, than some other things. This is one and the same line. Moreover, I am afraid that this will not be limited and the closer to the Vilnius summit, the threat of non-standard situations in Ukraine will grow,” Ohryzko said.

The former head of the Ukrainian diplomacy believes that until Ukraine's European integration successfully completes, the neighbor on the East will constantly lodge “health claims.”

The ex-Minister noted that Rospotrebnadzor has repeatedly revealed non-compliance of imported products to “stated parameters,” when there was a political order from the Kremlin (this, in particular, concerns also products from Georgia, until President Saakashvili lost his influence, and Moldovan products). “Because the matter does not concern the health norms, but the Kremlin attempts not to let former Soviet republics from the sphere of its influence,” Ohryzko believes.

  Adapted from Ukrinform