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Russia does not violate WTO rules by limiting Ukraine’s trucks transit — ministry

Ukraine’s acts prohibiting the transit of Russian vehicles run counter to WTO regulations

MOSCOW, February 15. /TASS/. Russia is not violating WTO rules when limiting Ukraine’s heavy haulers transit through its territory, representative of the Economic Development Ministry Maxim Medvedkov said on Monday.

"Certainly no. We do not make decisions running counter to our obligations [to WTO - TASS]," the official said.

Ukraine’s acts prohibiting the transit of Russian vehicles run counter to WTO regulations, Medvedkov said. "As far as vehicles in transit traffic across Ukraine are concerned, Ukraine shall ensure freedom of such transit in accordance with Article 5 of GATT [General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade - TASS]. Accordingly, if it does not do so, this is likely to constitute violations," the official said.

According to data of the Russian Ministry of Transport, over 100 trucks remain blocked in Ukraine and over 500 ones can not enter Ukraine’s territory on the way back to Russia from the European Union. Russia in its turn suspended traffic of Ukraine’s trucks over its territory.