Ex-Soviet states weigh Russia's WTO future

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 19 (UPI) -- Russia's chances of joining the World Trade Organization remain unsettled and pivot on two ex-Soviet group members, officials said.

The newest member of the WTO is Ukraine, which officially joined Friday. But, Russia may have more trouble with new member Georgia, based on Russia's support of two breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, RIA Novosti reported Monday.

Although it just joined Friday, even Ukraine, "like every other WTO member, has the right to join the working group on Russia's accession," Russian chief WTO negotiator Maxim Medvedkov said.

Last Friday, Georgian Reintegration Minister Temuri Yakobashvili said Georgia would oppose Russia's ascension until it withdrew support from the two breakaway regions.

Talks on Russia's ascension were scheduled to begin Monday in Geneva, Switzerland.