Ukraine on February 9 filed a requirement to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to set up an expert group within the framework of the case on numerous transit restrictions from the territory of Ukraine through Russian territory to third countries - Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (DS512 Russia - measures for transit traffic), the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine has reported.

"We are deeply convinced that Russia's trading aggression, including wrongful actions on transit limitation (and de facto almost a complete ban) from Ukraine to third countries must obtain an objective assessment of WTO experts and, of course, should be abolished. We believe in the validity of our position, we will make every effort to prove it," Deputy Economic Minister, Trade Representative of Ukraine Natalia Mykolska said.

She noted that since the use of restrictive measures that will be contested exports of goods from Ukraine to Central/East Asian countries in 2016 decreased by 38.3% compared to 2015. In general, the ministry estimates the loss of exports to Kazakhstan (restrictions are applied from the beginning of 2016) and Kyrgyzstan over the past year (restrictions have been applied since the second half of 2016) at more than $400 million.

"According to the experts, about 79% of exports from Ukraine to Kazakhstan and 95% to Kyrgyzstan suffered from restrictions and a partial ban on the part of the Russian Federation," a press release reads.