Putin backs away from Kyoto accord
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out the ratification of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in the short term, stating that affirming the treaty on global warming would impinge upon his country’s fragile economic growth.
Mr Putin’s position was conveyed by Andrei Illarinov, the presidential adviser on economic affairs, who said the treaty, in its present form, would significantly hamper economic growth.
According to analysts, Russia’s objection to the Protocol reflects Moscow’s view that the EU is dragging its feet on Russia’s accession to the WTO.
The Protocol demands of developed countries that they reduce the output of harmful carbon dioxide gases produced by fossil fuels.
The United States, the world’s biggest polluter, has also rejected the accord.
