The Russian Foreign Ministry ruled out the country’s withdrawal from the WTO

Russia will not withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO), despite attempts by a number of states to “squeeze” it out of there. About this in a conversation with RIA Novosti informed Dmitry Birichevsky, Director of the Department for Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

“We are considering all options for our participation in multilateral trade, analyzing the balance of benefits and costs of full membership in the WTO. At the same time, we proceed from the fact that there are reasons to remain in the organization as a full member in order to maintain stable ties with developing states that are ready to continue cooperation on an equal basis and with mutual consideration of interests,” he said.

According to him, a number of unfriendly states are making attempts to “squeeze out” Russia from the WTO. Birichevsky specified that the decision to leave the organization on their own could be perceived by these countries as “proof of the effectiveness of the anti-Russian line” and a signal to further toughen this course.

Among the states that are ready to continue trade cooperation with Russia, Birichevsky named the countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. “Interaction with them is becoming more active and diverse,” he stressed.

In addition, Russia’s withdrawal from the WTO “would deprive us of a number of advantages related to the protection of the common market [Евразийского экономического] union from imports that are sensitive to our economy.” Birichevsky recalled that Russia, as a member of the EAEU, must comply with the WTO rules, which underlie the functioning of the union.

On March 21, 2022, deputies from the A Just Russia – For Truth faction submitted to the State Duma a draft federal law on Russia’s withdrawal from the WTO. According to politicians, such a measure is necessary to protect Russia’s national interests in response to the sanctions imposed on it. The document assumes that the termination of Russia’s membership in the WTO frees the country from fulfilling its obligations within the framework of the organization.

Russia signed a protocol on WTO accession in April 1994 and joined in August 2012. The WTO is based on principles enshrined in separate agreements, including non-discrimination, freer trade conditions, promotion of competition, and additional provisions for the least developed countries.