EU says Russia breaking WTO rules ahead of entry

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia will probably be in breach of global trade rules when it joins the World Trade Organisation this year, the EU executive said on Wednesday, signaling Brussels would feel justified in filing a case against the club's newest member.

Putin wants closer EU trade ties, skirts Syria

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin pressed the European Union on Monday for faster progress toward visa-free travel and said the EU will have to deal with an economic alliance among ex-Soviet states, while skirting the issue of Syria in public comments.