GENEVA —
Ukraine lost the bulk of a legal dispute against Russia on Monday, when a World Trade Organization dispute panel struck out many of its arguments about Russia refusing to use Ukrainian railway equipment, a major export for Kiev.
Ukraine complained to the WTO in 2015 about Russia's rejection of Ukrainian rolling stock, railroad switches and other railroad equipment, but the WTO ruled that the security situation was such that Russian inspectors sent to check that Ukraine's exports complied with Russian standards would have been risking their lives, and Russia was therefore justified.
However, Russia could have carried out the inspections outside Ukraine, the panel of adjudicators said. Either side can appeal the ruling within 60 days.
