By Olivia Le Poidevin
GENEVA (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday abstained from a statement by members of the World Trade Organization condemning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, a diplomatic source and a Geneva trade official told Reuters.
It is the first time the U.S. has not supported the statement that has been issued each year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, in another signal of a shift in ties with Russia.
Forty-four WTO members and Ukraine signed it, including the European Union, Britain, Canada and Australia.
“The decision not to co-sponsor was made in keeping with our position in the United Nations Security Council and U.N. General Assembly earlier this week”, a U.S. official told Reuters.
The Security Council on Monday adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution that took a neutral position on the conflict – highlighting the dramatic change in Washington’s position since President Donald Trump took office in January.
The WTO statement condemned the devastating impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on people’s lives and Ukraine’s economy.
“We are gravely concerned about the consequences of this destruction for Ukraine and for global trade”, including the supply of agricultural products, fertilizers and minerals from Ukraine to international markets, it added.
Ukraine on Wednesday underwent a Trade Policy Review that aims to enhance transparency and understanding of WTO members’ trade policies and practices.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday Ukraine and the U.S. had struck an initial minerals deal, which could provide security guarantees to Ukraine to ensure a lasting and fair peace.
The deal is at the heart of Kyiv’s push to win over Trump’s robust support as the U.S. president strives to clinch a rapid end to the war with Russia that Ukraine’s supporters fear could come at the expense of its national interests.
(Additional reporting by Emma Farge,; Editing by Ludwig Burger, Alexandra Hudson)
