Investing.com -- In an unusual move, the United States refrained from co-sponsoring a joint statement at the World Trade Organization (WTO) that criticized Russia's aggression in Ukraine. This information was confirmed by a Reuters report on Wednesday.

This marks the first occasion the U.S. has not backed the statement, which has been issued annually since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This action is seen as another sign of the U.S. moving towards closer ties with Russia.

The joint statement was agreed upon by more than 40 WTO members during the Ukraine trade review session at the WTO. These members included major global players such as the European Union, the United Kingdom (TADAWUL: 4280 ), Canada, and Australia.

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