REUTERS
Ukraine has sent to the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) a statement on trade discrimination by Russia, including the embargo and restriction of transit, according to the report published on the website of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine.
"Ukraine draws the attention of WTO member states to the continuing aggression by the Russian Federation. The politically motivated and illegal trade measures have been adopted and implemented by the Russian Federation following Ukraine’s decision to start implementing the provisions of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the European Union from January 1, 2016," reads the statement.
Also, the Ukrainian side has said that Russia's actions were inconsistent with its obligations in the WTO framework and violated international trade law.
"The measures described below are entirely incompatible with public international law, the fundamental principles of the WTO and the commitments made by the Russian Federation to join the WTO. Ukraine is convinced that WTO members should strictly observe the WTO regulations,"the document says.
Read alsoFreight train from Ukraine to Central Asia via Georgia, Azerbaijan to depart on FridayAt the same time, according to the statement, Ukraine is forced to apply retaliatory measures.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has instructed the Ukrainian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to expand the list of Russian goods that are subject to an import embargo.
On January 10, Ukraine imposed an embargo on the import of 30 commodity items from Russia in response to similar actions of the Russian side. The ban covers food products, vodka, tobacco and chemical products, as well as railway equipment. In addition, Ukraine imposed import duties on Russian imports at rates varying in the range of 1.5-19% with a transition period of three-five years.
On October 21 Ukraine lodged its first of a series of planned claims with the WTO against Russia, challenging trade restrictions on Ukrainian-produced rail cars and railroad switches.
Read alsoUkraine Trade Rep. estimates losses due to declining export to RussiaUkraine Trade Representative Nataliya Mykolska said that, due to the restrictions, the Ukrainian exports declined to $51 million over the seven months of 2015. Exports in 2013 were estimated at $1.7 billion.
Earlier, Ukraine addressed the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade with the request to analyze a ban imposed by Russia on imports of Ukraine-produced confectionery, dairy and juice products, including baby food, as well as beer.