KIEV, Dec. 17 – Russia has been unable to substantiate its fears at the Ukraine-EU-Russia negotiations regarding the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, said Jan Tombinski, head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

The tripartite consultations began in July 2014. The European Union offered Russia the opportunity to discuss the DCFTA agreement with Ukraine so that it could explain the practical effects, he said. The next ministerial meeting is set to be held on Monday, December 21, he said. The European Union has not found any proof of how the DCFTA with Ukraine may have negative implications for trade with Russia, the ambassador told Interfax in an interview.