11:58 05.01.2016

Goods transportation between Ukraine and Russia halted

2 min read
Goods transportation between Ukraine and Russia halted

The Infrastructure Ministry of Ukraine has said that the thoughtless decision of Russia to restrict transit of Ukrainian goods and the uncoordinated quota for transportation permits for 2016 have resulted in the full stoppage of transportation by road between the two countries.

"The Infrastructure Ministry believes that the complication of transit via Russia is another attempt of Russian authorities to affect the economic situation in Ukraine. The thoughtless decision of Russia without the clear mechanism of its realization and the uncoordinated permits quota for 2016 today have resulted in the complete halt of transportation between the countries. Moreover, the sharp restriction of transit via Russia puts under threat the interests of third countries which would not be able to receive the goods," the press service of the ministry told Interfax-Ukraine.

The ministry said that now international transit cargo from Ukraine to Kazakhstan via Russia is transported via Belarus. This means that drivers have no rights to cross the Ukrainian-Russian border, but they can enter Russia via Belarus, if they have registration vouchers and special identification means (seals).

"At once after the publication of the document the Infrastructure Ministry asked representative of the Transport Ministry of Russia to settle the issue. However, Russia refused to give any explanations until the end of holidays," the press service said.

Until the situation is not resolved, Ukraine calls on haulers not to plan trips to Russia to avoid problems for drivers and additional expenses for business. The ministry will inform on any changes in the issue.

As reported, Russia has fully halted the transit of goods from Ukraine via its territory as of January 4, 2016, the Ukrainian Economic Development and Trade Ministry.

"This Russian ban is nontransparent, unjustified and discriminatory. Thus, the Russians have violated their commitments, which in particular had been assumed within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Free Trade Area Treaty as of October 18, 2011," the ministry said.

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