U.S. sanctions against several Russian companies have prompted Moscow to take action by resorting to the World Trade Organization as an international arbiter in the dispute. The Russian authorities, which may launch a lawsuit against the U.S., insist that the sanctions contradict WTO norms.
Russia Beyond The Headlines: Russia turns to WTO in response to Western sanctions
Russia joined the WTO in August 2012, after 18 years of talks. Under WTO rules, a country can impose restrictions on the export of goods and services for national security reasons, but they do not envisage the option of sanctions.
