Ukraine has sent a letter to the Chairman of the WTO's General Council, in which it says it will "impose a complete economic embargo and no longer apply the WTO agreements in its relations with the Russian Federation":
On 24 February 2022 the Russian Federation committed a blatant act of aggression against Ukraine through its unprovoked and unjustified military invasion, an attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in a brutal violation of the UN Charter and basic norms and principles of International law.
The ongoing military attacks by the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian territory have already resulted m the immense losses of human lives, including children, with more than a thousand people injured and inflicted severe damages on Ukraine's infrastructure and economy. The international community has categorically condemned the Russian aggression as a grave breach of international law.
Following Russia's invasion, the Government of Ukraine severed its diplomatic relations with the aggressor state, decided to impose a complete economic embargo and no longer apply the WTO agreements in its relations with the Russian Federation. Ukraine considers that these steps are consistent with its national security rights under, inter alia, Article XXI of the GAIT 1994, Article XIVbis of the GATS, and Article 73 of the TRIPS Agreement.
We strongly believe that other WTO Members will stand along with Ukraine in countering Russian military invasion by taking similar measures against the aggressor state. We urge all WTO Members to consider further steps with the view to suspending the Russian Federation's participation in the WTO for its violation of the purpose and principles of this Organization.
Pursuant to the GATT decision concerning Article XXI of the General Agreement of 30 November 1982, Article XIVbis, paragraph 2, of the GATS, and Article 73 of the TRIPS Agreement, I kindly request that you communicate Ukraine's decision to the Council for Trade In Goods, the Council for Trade in Service, the TRIPS Council, as well as to all WTO Members.
How many other WTO Members will pursue similar measures, and what are all the different approaches they will take? As noted in several of the last blog posts, several members of U.S. Congress are offering up proposed legislation. In addition, the Canadian government has announced action to withdraw MFN and impose tariffs on Russian imports, but some of the technical details are unclear at the moment. And the EU is considering action as well.
