All countries except for U.S. back Russia's accession to WTO - Putin

MOSCOW, January 31 (RIA Novosti) - All countries except for the United States back Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a Kremlin news conference Tuesday.

"The main problem today is the resolution of the issue with the U.S. All other countries backed Russia's efforts to joint the WTO," Putin said.

Russia and the U.S. are currently holding talks on the opening of branches of foreign banks in Russia, the president said.

"We believe that this is unacceptable, as it would not allow us to control monetary flows into Russia," he said, noting that the financial community in the U.S. agrees with him.

"On a professional level, everyone understands the issue, but on a political level, certain specific compromising steps have to be made.

"I know what the U.S. president's view is. He supports Russia's accession to the WTO," Putin said.

Russia will only join the organization under the same conditions that applied to other member countries, he said.

Of the 58 members of the Working Party on Russia's accession to the WTO, Russia has yet to conclude bilateral talks with three countries, the U.S., Australia and Colombia.