Khodorkovsky & Lebedev Communications Center

In an editorial comment, The Wall Street Journal Europe discusses the reasons behind Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's decision to close its solo bid to join the World Trade Organization.

Putin's decision to scrap its bid in favor of joining as part of a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan is more about re-asserting "Russia's political clout in its near abroad, no matter the economic consequences."

The comment adds: "The Kremlin might be worried that if Russia joined now, the country would have to adapt liberal trade practices and quit subsidizing some of its older industries. Moreover, expropriating assets from domestic and foreign enterprises becomes harder if Russia joins an organization that mandates international trade laws."