Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said Russia will not abide by any World Trade Organization (WTO) rules until it becomes a member and is free to slap duties on cheap machinery imports from China.
"Why the hell should they take us in if we are implementing all the rules anyway," Putin said at a government meeting.
Russia is growing increasingly frustrated with its 18-year-long bid to join the WTO, and the rules it has already implemented during the accession process have been criticized by domestic manufacturers.
Russia had hoped to wrap up negotiations before the spring session of the WTO's ruling council at the start of May, but that now looks increasingly unlikely.
compiled from agency reports
"Why the hell should they take us in if we are implementing all the rules anyway," Putin said at a government meeting.
Russia is growing increasingly frustrated with its 18-year-long bid to join the WTO, and the rules it has already implemented during the accession process have been criticized by domestic manufacturers.
Russia had hoped to wrap up negotiations before the spring session of the WTO's ruling council at the start of May, but that now looks increasingly unlikely.
compiled from agency reports
