RUSSIA – MEASURES AFFECTING THE IMPORTATION OF RAILWAY EQUIPMENT AND PARTS THEREOF

Communication from the Russian Federation

The following communication, dated 19 March 2020, was received from the delegation of Russia with the request that it be circulated to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB).

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Please find the communication of the Russian Federation concerning the implementation of recommendations and rulings of the Dispute Settlement Body ("DSB") in the dispute Russian Federation — Measures Affecting the Importation of Railway Equipment and Parts thereof (DS499). The Russian Federation respectfully requests you to circulate this communication to the Members.

Russia provides a copy of the above directly to Ukraine.

Furthermore, Russia kindly asks the DSB to take into account the Director-General`s announcement of 14 March 2020 on the developments related to the COVID-19 virus and further suspension of all meetings at the WTO until the end of April 2020, including the regular DSB meeting scheduled for 30 March 2020 during which Russia had to inform the DSB of its intentions in respect of implementation in DS499 pursuant to Article 21.3 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes ("DSU"). Therefore, Russia respectfully asks the DSB to accept the following communication as Russia`s compliance with its obligations under Article 21.3 of the DSU in these special circumstances.

Russia expects that the DSB and the Members, including Ukraine, would not oppose this approach and the relevant Russia's efforts to comply in view of this extraordinary situation.