Ukraine push for free trade with Customs Union

Ukraine was pursuing its plan to create a free trade zone with the Customs Union (CU) of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara said Thursday. "Cooperation with the Customs Union in a special 3+1 format is the most acceptable (route) for Ukraine. We want to participate in the alliance by creating a free trade area with the CU and by joining some of the union's agreements," Kozhara was quoted by local media as saying. Ukraine was currently searching ways to cooperate with the Russian-led bloc under conditions advantageous to Kiev, Kozhara said. Russia has long asked Ukraine to join the CU, offering cheaper natural gas and other economic benefits, but it has ruled out Kiev's entry on any special scheme of cooperation.