BERLIN (Sputnik) — Ukraine demanded during Friday's WTO Council for Trade in Goods meeting that Russia restore unimpeded transit of Ukrainian goods to third countries, the Ukrainian Economic Development Ministry said Monday.
"Regarding Ukrainian statements, we view Kiev's demands on transit as a dead-end. The inclusion of Ukraine in the list of countries that conduct sanction policies with regard to Russia was justified and fully in accordance with the Ukrainian authorities' actions," Likhachev said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
On January 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on transit procedures of goods going from Ukraine to Kazakhstan via Russia. According to the decree, goods would only be allowed to be transported from Ukraine to Kazakhstan if they were first sent through Belarus and provided they were carried on transport vehicles equipped with devices supporting Russia's Glonass navigation system. The restrictions have significantly limited the trade volume between Kiev and Astana.
On Tuesday, the Ukrainian Ministry of Economic Development said that the country had lost over $98 billion between 2012 and 2015 due to trade restrictions by Russia.
