Russia to shut down trade missions in Ukraine, Lithuania

The Russian government has decided to shut down trade missions in the Republic of Lithuania and Ukraine.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the relevant resolution on November 7, as reported by the Ukrainian media outlet European Pravda on November 11, referring to the Russian news agency TASS.

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"The government of the Russian Federation decides to liquidate the trade representation of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Lithuania and the Russian Federation's trade mission in Ukraine," reads the resolution.

In September 2020, Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed that the said trade agencies be closed.

Preceding events

• In 2019, Russia lost its position as Ukraine's largest trading partner among certain countries for the first time.
• In December 2018, Russia slapped sanctions on imports of more than 200 commodities from Ukraine. The figure increased by 140 goods in April 2019.
• In addition, shipments of certain Russian goods to Ukraine, mainly energy resources, either were banned or subject to a new permit system.