DISINFO: The economic part of the Ukrainian association with the EU is absolutely unequal
SUMMARY
The economic part of the association with the EU is absolutely unequal. In essence, this is a one-way free trade agreement. And it is obvious to everyone in which way.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative discrediting Ukraine's relations with the European Union. In June 2014, the EU and Ukraine signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), which promotes deeper political ties, stronger economic links and the respect for common values. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process, with strong conditionality on continued progress. See here for more details about EU-Ukraine relations. Since 2016, there has been a steady increase in the Ukrainian export of more value added products, such as machinery and appliances and transport equipment, while the number of companies exporting to the EU has increased from 11,700 companies in 2015 to more than 14,500 companies in 2019. The total trade turnout increased to 52.6 bln USD in 2019. During 2015-2019, Ukraine also increased its exports to the EU from 13 bln USD to 24 bln USD. Overall in 2019, Ukrainian exports to the EU increased by 3.9%. Now, the EU accounts for almost half of Ukrainian exports. The EU remains a key trading partner of Ukraine with a share of 40.1%.