The European Union has rejected Russia’s request to hold consultations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the bloc’s new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which targets high-emission exports entering the EU.
In a document submitted to the WTO on May 26, the EU justified its refusal by citing Russia’s “aggressive war” against Ukraine, arguing that it is currently impossible to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution through the proposed consultations.
Russia had requested the talks as a preliminary step before filing a formal WTO complaint, opposing the carbon tax mechanism, which it sees as a significant barrier to its high-carbon exports.
Despite this, the EU emphasized that, due to the current geopolitical tensions, there is no scope for constructive progress with Moscow at this time.
