Ukraine should become a member of the WTO in 2008 thanks in part to the backing of the EU. The Ukrainian deputy Prime Minister and Trade Commisioner Peter Mandelson sealed a deal in London last week allowing for the European endorsement . The accession of Ukraine should be adopted in a vote involving WTO members on February 5th. Ukraine is the third largest state to remain outside of the WTO (Iran and Russia being the largest ones) and a very significant partner for the EU. 42% of Ukraine imports come from the 27 member States and a quarter of its exports are EU bound. This could be a very significant political success for the pro-western coalition in power led by Ioulia Timochenko and will have an impact on Russia’s accession process. Moscow will have to get the assent of all WTO members including Ukraine to finalise its own accession. For once Kiev could have the upper hand and dictate its conditions, which is bound to irritate the Kremlin… It is up to the Ukrainians to make the best of the situation and help appeasing the tensions that have been straining the neighbours’ relations over the last couple of years.