Reuters: US abstains from condemning Russia in WTO statement
Washington allegedly opposed a declaration that would hold Moscow responsible for the Ukraine conflict.. source:TROIB RTS
TroibNews 
Washington has been aiming to avoid assigning blame in order to facilitate a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
According to a diplomatic source and a Geneva trade official cited by Reuters, the United States chose not to support a joint World Trade Organization statement condemning Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine.”
This decision reflects Washington’s evolving policy towards Moscow, which includes efforts to reestablish diplomatic ties and bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
The statement, which was issued by the EU’s Permanent Mission to the WTO, reportedly received backing from representatives of over 40 countries, such as the UK, Canada, and Australia.
This refusal marks the first time the US has opted not to support the annual statement since the conflict in Ukraine escalated in February 2022. According to Reuters, this could be interpreted as a further indication of US President Donald Trump’s shift in policy concerning relations with Russia.
On Monday, the US also declined to support a UN statement holding Russia accountable for the Ukraine conflict, which was timed to commemorate the third anniversary of the escalation.
Earlier this month, Trump engaged in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his administration’s broader strategy to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to begin negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.
Last week, high-level talks took place between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, where the delegations explored the possibility of establishing a framework for a potential peace agreement and strengthening bilateral ties. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the meeting as “very useful,” emphasizing that, for the first time, the US delegation was attentive to Moscow’s concerns.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to a diplomatic source and a Geneva trade official cited by Reuters, the United States chose not to support a joint World Trade Organization statement condemning Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine.”
This decision reflects Washington’s evolving policy towards Moscow, which includes efforts to reestablish diplomatic ties and bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
The statement, which was issued by the EU’s Permanent Mission to the WTO, reportedly received backing from representatives of over 40 countries, such as the UK, Canada, and Australia.
This refusal marks the first time the US has opted not to support the annual statement since the conflict in Ukraine escalated in February 2022. According to Reuters, this could be interpreted as a further indication of US President Donald Trump’s shift in policy concerning relations with Russia.
On Monday, the US also declined to support a UN statement holding Russia accountable for the Ukraine conflict, which was timed to commemorate the third anniversary of the escalation.
Earlier this month, Trump engaged in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his administration’s broader strategy to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to begin negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.
Last week, high-level talks took place between US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, where the delegations explored the possibility of establishing a framework for a potential peace agreement and strengthening bilateral ties. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the meeting as “very useful,” emphasizing that, for the first time, the US delegation was attentive to Moscow’s concerns.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
