Ukraine's Anti-Russia Sanctions Violate WTO Norms

Russian Economic Development Minister thinks that anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Ukraine violate the norms outlined by the World Trade Organization.

SOCHI (Sputnik) – The asset freezes and travel bans imposed by Ukraine against Russian companies contradict the norms outlined by the World Trade Organization (WTO), Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Friday.

"I think they do violate [WTO norms]," Ulyukayev said in response to journalist questions.

The minister ruled out applying equivalent measures against Ukraine’s "clearly unfriendly" step, vowing instead to seek alternative forms of responsive actions.

"We will definitely respond to this, but I cannot comment on the form [of that response] at this time," Ulyukayev said.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a year-long sanctions list against 388 individuals and 105 legal entities from Russia and other countries on Wednesday. Kiev moved to revise the list after a massive backlash against the inclusion of around 40 journalists and bloggers.

The blacklist includes 28 Russian banks and 25 airline companies including Aeroflot and Transaero, and other legal entities such as the arms manufacturer Almaz-Antey.

Russian President Vladimir Putin branded the anti-Russia sanctions imposed by Western nations last year a rejection of the basic WTO principle of equal access to goods and services markets.