Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have abandoned their attempt to join the World Trade Organisation as a single customs union, after WTO members made clear the unprecedented move would add years to the negotiations.

Speaking after talks at WTO headquarters in Geneva, Maxim Medvedkov, Russia’s veteran WTO negotiator, said the three countries would continue their separate membership talks. However, they would negotiate on the basis of a common customs tariff that is due to be implemented from the beginning of next year, with the aim of joining the WTO simultaneously.