OREANDA-NEWS  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation opposed Russia's withdrawal from the World Trade Organization (WTO). This was reported by the press service of the department on Wednesday, February 15.

They noted that the ministry considers the WTO an important platform for defending Russian interests. "The position of the relevant departments, in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is well known. The WTO remains an important platform for defending Russian interests in the global trading system, and leaving it would be a gift for our enemies," the press service told RBC. 

On the same day, Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov, speaking in the State Duma and answering a question about the possibility of Russia's withdrawal from the WTO, noted that he was aware of the discussion of this topic, but said that there had not yet been a final decision.

Earlier, in October 2022, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Economic Development Vladimir Ilyichev said that Russia has no plans to withdraw from the WTO yet. He noted that Russia proceeds from the fact that it is more profitable for it to remain in this organization, since it is convenient to communicate not only with unfriendly countries, it is also the basis for working with China, India, Brazil and other countries.