The Russian Federation has unilaterally blocked the traffic of the Ukrainian cargo on the territory of Russia, thereby violating the rules and procedures of the World Trade Organization and the bilateral intergovernmental agreement on international road transport. Until relevant explanations from the Russian side are obtained and the aforesaid issue settled, Ukraine temporarily introduces retaliatory measures pretermitting travel of freight motor vehicles registered in Russia through the territory of Ukraine.

On the outcomes of a Government’s meeting on Monday morning, February 15, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine will take appropriate action.

According to Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk, due to the fact that the Russian Federation had unilaterally violated the rules and regulations of the WTO and unilaterally stopped the traffic of Ukrainian cargo vehicles via the territory of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine addressed a note to the Russian Federation with a request to provide explanation of such unlawful actions.

"Until relevant explanation is obtained and the dispute is settled, Ukraine temporarily terminates the validity of transit permits issued for cargo vehicles registered in the Russian Federation, which entails a temporary suspension of the transit of goods by freight motor vehicles from the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine", said Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

"We demand Russia to stick to the WTO requirements and restore transit traffic for Ukrainian motor vehicles", stressed the Head of Government.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk also added that the Ukrainian party had initiated consultations with the European Union member states and appeals to the EU to facilitate settlement of this problem.