Ukraine's 2005 WTO Hopes: Down But Not Out.

Yesterday the Rada amended several laws, putting them in line with WTO standards. In particular, laws on imports, anti-dumping regulations and veterinary standards were all changed. Concorde Capital: The government can see the finish line, and despite the odds, appears to be making one last push to enter the WTO before the New Year. In what appeared to be a rallying call to parliament, PM Yurii Yekhanurov said yesterday if Russia joins the WTO first, Ukraine would never be allowed to enter. President Viktor Yushchenko also seems to be pulling out all the stops, his nomination of Oleksandr Medvedko to the post of Proscecutor General is widely viewed as a compromise in exchange for support from rival Rada factions in passing WTO laws. Medvedko is a former Donetsk prosecutor. It is unlikely Ukraine will enter the WTO before 2006. We believe Ukraine will enter in early 2006, before Russia.