BRUSSELS, May 23 - Russia is not going to force Ukraine to join the Belarusian-Kazakh-Russian Customs Union, says Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's permanent envoy to the EU.

"First, it would be wrong to drag Ukraine anywhere, as it would be for any other independent country, as this is improper, and second, it is futile. Ukraine should make its own decision and see what is advantageous for it," Chizhov said.