From 1 January 2016, when free trade zone with the EU was launched, Russia imposed restrictions of transit through the territory of Ukraine to Kazakhstan, and from 1 July 2016 to Kyrgyzstan. According to experts, because of this, about 79% of export supplies from Ukraine to Kazakhstan and 95% to Kyrgyzstan have experienced adverse effects.
To protect the interests of Ukraine from Russian aggression the Ministry of Economic Development launched dispute settlement in the WTO in 2016. Since the first phase Russia was not ready to settle the dispute and has not taken measures to reverse unlawful, discriminatory and economically unjustified restrictions of the transit, Ukraine has continued the proceedings in accordance with established procedure and at the February 9, 2017 sent to the WTO request for establishment of a special Group of experts for this case.