The International Court of Arbitration on July 19 adopted the first procedural decision within the framework of the lawsuit filed by Naftogaz Ukrainy against the Russian Federation because of the seizure of the company's property in Crimea, the press service of Naftogaz has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"On July 19, 2017 the arbitral tribunal adopted the first procedural decision on the case, which, inter alia, obliged the Permanent Court of Arbitration to bring to the public general information about the case. Therefore a publication on the trial process appeared on the website of the Permanent Court of Arbitration," the press service said.

As reported, on February 15, 2016 the Russian Federation received an official written notification from Naftogaz Ukrainy, Chornomornaftogaz, Ukrtransgaz, Likvo, Ukrgazvydobuvannia, Ukrtransnafta and Gaz Ukrainy on an investment dispute in the framework of the bilateral agreement on mutual protection of investments between Ukraine and Russia.

The reason for this dispute is the illegal expropriation by Russia of Naftogaz group's investments in the territory of Crimea.