Minister: Ukrainian sanctions against Russia contradict WTO norms

SOCHI, Sep 18 (PRIME) -- Sanctions imposed by Ukraine on a range of Russian individuals and legal entities contradict norms of the World Trade Organization (WTO), but Moscow is unlikely to challenge them at the WTO and is rather to make other retaliatory decisions, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev told reporters Friday.

“I believe, they contradict,” he said, adding that Russia in unlikely to apply to the WTO. “I’m not sure (about a complaint to the WTO). We will probably look for other ways to response,” he said.

Russia’s Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said separately that the authority will support railway operator Freight One, hit by the sanctions. “It is our responsibility to support the industry branch and companies operating in it, all the more strategic ones,” he said.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko signed a decree to introduce sanctions for one year against Russia. The black list comprises about 400 individuals and 105 companies, including 25 airlines with top air carrier Aeroflot, 28 banks with Gazprombank, the third biggest lender, several defense firms and software producers.

End