Ukraine begins process of withdrawal from CIS

Ukraine has begun the process of withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), ukrinform.ua reports.

National Security and Defense Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy said this at a briefing on Wednesday, a Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"The National Security and Defense Council decided not only to end the chairmanship of the CIS, but also to begin the process of withdrawal from the CIS," Parubiy said.

In addition, he said, it was decided to work out a plan to hold in Ukraine joint exercises involving the Ukrainian army and allies guaranteeing Ukraine's security. A respective address to the guarantor countries has already been prepared, Parubiy added.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis said earlier that Ukraine was ending its CIS presidency in 2014.