EU launches WTO dispute against Russia over procurement

The European Union has launched a legal challenge at the World Trade Organization against Russian measures it says restrict or prevent EU companies from selling goods to Russian state-owned enterprises.

"These practices seem to be contrary to WTO rules, which require that Russia may not discriminate against foreign companies in this area," the European Commission, the EU's executive body, said in a statement on Monday.

The first step in a WTO dispute is a period of consultations before an adjudicating panel can be chosen.