Russian Chief Negotiator Maxim Medvedkov (R) shakes hands with an ambassador before the opening of formal negotiations on Russia's membership bid on November 10, 2011 (AFP Photo / Fabrice Coffrini)

Russia has crossed the winning post in its 18-year run for WTO accession. The working group in Geneva cleared all the remaining hurdles for Moscow's long awaited membership.

This means Russia is now almost certain to make its official entry in December at a meeting of ministers.The decision was prompted by Russia and Georgia finally reaching an agreement on regulating customs on the borders with the break away republics of Sourth Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The accession terms are yet to be published, but a WTO negotiator told RT that "participants are not fully satisfied with accession terms, but in Geneva if no-one is happy, it means the deal is fair."

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