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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 US 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 dramatic shift in ties with Russia.
Forty-four WTO members and Ukraine signed the statement, including the European Union, the UK, Canada and Australia. The US mission to the United Nations in Geneva was not immediately available for comment.
The 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 in particular with regard to the supply to international markets of a number of key commodities produced by Ukraine, including agricultural and food products, fertilizers, and critical minerals”, it added.
Ukraine on Wednesday underwent a Trade Policy Review that aims to enhance transparency and understanding of WTO members’ trade policies and practices.
The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a US-drafted resolution that took a neutral position on the conflict – highlighting the dramatic shift in Washington’s position since President Donald Trump took office in January.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday Ukraine and the US 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 US 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.
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