GORKI, Aug. 27 - It would be pointless to continue talks on the prospects for Ukraine's simultaneous membership of the Free Trade Zone with the European Union and the Customs Union, First Deputy Russian Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said.

"I consider it pointless to continue talks on this issue," he told reporters.

"The Ukrainians want to find a format that they consider to be compatible. We have tried to find variants even with a transition period [where regulatory institutions like technical regulation and phytosanitary control are concerned]. Even if we were to find a compromise, and we're ready for this, they have no possibility according to the single customs tariff. They are absolutely bound [by the free trade zone agreement with the EU]," Shuvalov said.