Kyiv ready to discuss brief transition periods to remove Russian concerns over EU association

Ukraine is ready to discuss the possibility of establishing brief transition periods - lasting two-three years - for a number of technical regulations, said Mykolska, who is Ukraine's trade representative. "We have experts currently working in Brussels, yesterday and today. According to my information, they have made progress in the work. For our part and the part of the European Union, there is the desire for a resolution. We are hopeful that we will reach some kind of agreement on the 21st," she said. Asked whether Ukraine agreed with Russia's demand for a transition period for technical regulations and phytosanitary measures, when Russian rules would be in effect in Ukraine side-by-side with European rules, Mykolska said: "There are transition periods and there are transition periods. If this concerns a transition period to 2025, that's not even funny. All business will adapt to any changes a lot faster than that." "We have already introduced many technical regulations and there can be no road back, because that is a part of our law. We can speak of certain periods, brief ones, two-three years. That is a sufficient transition period," she said. "Our position is clear and concise: no changes in the agreement on free trade zones with the EU, which enters force on January 1. We can seek certain compromises for certain sectors of the Russian economy, to establish certain transition periods or consultative processes between the sides to remove concerns," she said.