ARTICLE
“We are basically doing whatever we want”: Russia admits breaking rules of World Trade Organisation
“Economichna Pravda”
OLEKSII PAVLYSH
Thursday, 23 March 2023, 18:36
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/03/23/7394798/
Mykhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia, admitted that Russia has been breaking the rules accepted by it upon joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2012 for a long time. Herewith, he believes that the WTO membership has its advantages.
Source: Mishustin’s statement during his report in the State Duma of Russia cited by Interfax
Quote: “Withdrawal from the WTO. Is it good or bad? In fact, we have been making the decisions we want for ten years. As of today, we basically do not fulfil our obligations.
We are implementing counter sanctions, banning the import of raw materials for agriculture and many more,” he added, commenting on the calls upon Russia to leave this organisation.
He stated that the WTO membership does not bother Russia.
“As of today, we must carefully consider: will this be beneficial for us? It (WTO membership – ed.) does not bother us.
We can withdraw from the organisation and thus lose the mechanisms that are still in place, even though they are not being fully performed. We must analyse this situation since it is ambiguous; we must look at it and think about it,” Mishustin concluded.