Russia's request, filed earlier this month, was focused on various restrictions that have been placed on Russian goods and services in Ukraine since 2014, in particular, bans on imports of Russian meat and dairy, spirits, fish and other goods, as well as the fact that Russian companies in Ukraine may not participate in privatization.
"I can confirm that late on the evening of May 19, the WTO received a request from Russia for consultations with Ukraine regarding various measures," the official said.
The request is expected to be transmitted to WTO members within a week, the official added.
The WTO official explained the organization's dispute settlement rules allowing a 60-day window for the parties to find mutually acceptable solutions. Russia has the right to request the creation of a panel of arbitrators if the sides fail to reach an agreement, according to the official.
Ukrainian Minister of Justice Pavlo Petrenko told reporters that Russia's request would receive "an appropriate legal assessment from Ukraine as well as WTO members."
Petrenko said that Kiev had the right to introduce the restrictions in question as long as they concerned national security.
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