Putin extends restrictions on transit of Ukrainian goods to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Russian President Vladimir Putin amended the decree from January 1, 2016 "On Measures to ensure economic security and national interests of Russia during the transit of goods from Ukraine to the Republic of Kazakhstan or the Kyrgyz Republic through the territory of the Russian Federation." He extended it for half a year, until July 1, 2019, the Russia’s government website of legal information.
The decree entered into force on December 31, 2018. It stipulates that inter-country transportation of goods by road or railway from Ukraine to Kazakhstan through Russia can only be carried out from the territory of Belarus. Cargo compartments and railway containers used for the goods in transit should be sealed and tracked using the GLONASS Navigation satellite system. In July 2016, Putin amended the decree requiring similar restrictions on transit of goods to Kyrgyzstan.
In September 2016, Ukraine requested for consultations with Russia in the WTO regarding the given restrictions. In its complaint, Ukraine estimated a 35.1% reduction in exports of Ukrainian goods to the markets of Central and Middle Asia and the Caucasus in the first half of 2016 because of Russia’s measure with the reduction of exports to Kazakhstan to 45.5%.