K.Yelisieiev drew MEPs attention to Ukraine's efforts regarding constructive resolution of trade problems with Russia. He stressed on the Russia's commitment “to refrain from economic coercion designed to subordinate to their own interest the exercise by Ukraine of the rights inherent in its sovereignty and thus to secure advantages of any kind” under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.

K.Yelisieiev thanked the European Union for supporting Ukraine in that conflict with Russia, while stressing that the actions of the EU "should go beyond declarations".

According to the Ukrainian diplomat, now Ukraine needs to consolidate positions of EU member states and the European Parliament political forces around the idea of signing the Association Agreement and its provisional application , in particular the adoption by Member States of the relevant decision on October 21 this year.

In addition, the Representative of Ukraine to the EU stressed the importance of increasing contacts between the leadership of the EU, Member States, Ukraine and Russia, as well as launching broad explanatory campaign devoted to the benefits of the Association Agreement from the point of view of democratic, political, economic and social dimensions.

In turn, the Ukrainian side also hopes that EU could facilitate opening access to its markets for some Ukrainian goods provided they are in line with EU standards.