The US does not want to pressure Georgia to conclude talks on Russia joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), new ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, appointed by President Barack Obama, told the committee for foreign affairs of the US Senate, ITAR-TASS reports.
McFaul says that Russia would meet US interests as a WTO member. The US ambassador was a special US presidential assistant and senior director for Russia in the White House National Security Council.
Obama plans to lift the Jackson-Vanik amendment before Russia joins the WTO. Russia needs to conclude multilateral talks on WTO membership and reach an agreement with Georgia with Swiss mediation.
McFaul believes that Switzerland is taking exceptionally active mediation steps, supported by the US. Washington urges Moscow and Tbilisi to have a serious approach towards consideration of deals. McFaul noted that they had informed Russian Vice-Premier Igor Shuvalov in Washington last week that Georgia will not be pressured on the issue.
