Russia turns to WTO over Ukraine transit restrictions

Russia has complained to the World Trade Organization that Ukrainian restrictions on access to its territory by people and goods from Russia violate international trade agreements, a source close to the WTO said Monday.

Russia alleged that Kiev had imposed a wide range of restrictions and bans on the transit of people, goods and services from the country.

Ukraine has imposed a “universe of restrictions, prohibitions, requirements and procedures”, Russia told the WTO in the complaint filed on May 19, claiming that it was the target of discrimination.

The country maintained that the Ukrainian measures were in violation of various WTO agreements.

Moscow’s request for consultations marks the first step in the WTO dispute system, and is aimed at giving the parties a chance to talk things through and resolve their differences without moving forward with litigation.

It mirrors a similar request from Ukraine last September to the WTO, which polices global trade accords in an effort to ensure a level playing field for its 164 member economies.

If the consultations fail to resolve the dispute within 60 days, the WTO can create a panel of experts to review the case.