Russia, EU wage phony war over sanctions at WTO

Russia's food bans are significantly easier to fight at the WTO than EU sanctions, said Ian Bond, director of foreign policy at the London-based think-tank Centre for European Reform.

"[EU sanctions] have avoided any outright bans or tariffs on Russian exports," Bond said. "Paradoxically, the fact that the EU has not really gone down the line of the so-called sectoral sanctions … may actually make it much more difficult for the Russians to make a case in the WTO."

...While the EU's response remains to be seen, Bond said there is reason to think that De Gucht may be prepared to take Russia to task.

"De Gucht has shown an increasing willingness in the last few months to take on the Russians at the WTO … and so I think its quite likely De Gucht will be willing to take up the cudgels on behalf of the Poles," Bond said.

This would not necessarily mean a case specifically against Russia's food bans, he added. The Commission would choose from various complaints against Russia and select the case where its chances are strongest.