Moscow 'Perplexed' By Yekhanurov's Comments On WTO

3 November 2005 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said today that Moscow is "perplexed" by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov's comments that Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization will be virtually impossible if Russia joins the organization first.

Moscow 'Perplexed' By Yekhanurov's Comments On WTO
Spokesman Mikhail Kamynin, in comments posted on the ministry's website, said such an approach "is absolutely unacceptable" to Moscow.

He said Russia has "never set" itself the goal of hindering Ukraine's WTO accession.

He said coordinating positions on WTO accession would benefit both Russia and Ukraine.

The Ukrainian prime minister made his comments yesterday during a visit to Washington.

(ITAR-TASS/Interfax)