Moscow: Russia's withdrawal from WTO not being considered

Russia is not going to initiate its withdrawal from the World Trade Organization (WTO), while its expulsion from the organization is legally impossible, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said on Thursday.

"This is not being discussed. We intentionally entered into the organization because of the benefits we expected and received, and we are not going to slam the door shut," Pankin told reporters on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in response to Interfax's question.

"It's impossible to procedurally, legally expel Russia from the WTO," he said.