“Russia is the world’s 12th largest trading nation and until we have this important country among our members, we cannot truly be the World Trade Organization.”-Pascal Lamy, World Trade Organization

After 18 years of trying to join the WTO, Russia was finally allowed in on December 16.  Just the day before Russia surprised many people in Europe and the United States, by announcing they would help bailout Europe, and, they would work with the United States to present a resolution to the UN Security Council concerning Syria.

Up until December 15 Russia had kept mum about bailing out Europe, and had opposed any UNSC resolution on Syria.

Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich, did admit there were conditions for Russia’s joining the WTO, and conditions for maintaining  membership: “Russia is joining the WTO on conditions answering its national interests. There are preconditions for further improvement of our business climate, for attraction of foreign investmens, for expanding of Russia’s export with simultaneous keeping of key industries of the national economy.”

WTO officials put another condition on Russia’s joining the global organization; they have to be well behaved for at least six more months, then, in the summer of 2021 they will be considered a full member of the World Trade Organization.  Even then there will be a “transition period” up to seven years.

The WTO members, including the United States, voted unanimously to let Russia finally join.  There are now 154 WTO members, which control 98% of global trade.