The new rules, already accepted by companies such as General Motors , Fiat , Ford Motor Co , Renault and Volkswagen AG , which plan to invest $5 billion in Russia, are opposed by the EU.
"We are continuing a difficult dialogue with the European Commission and the United States in the process of WTO accession," Putin told workers at steelmaker Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works.
Putin said the EU and the United States are insisting Russia drop assembly requirements aimed at boosting local production, such as a requirement that foreign carmakers create capacity to produce up to 350,000 cars per year.
"We have said that our position has not changed. This is a red line which we cannot cross," he said.
Russia hopes to join the WTO this year after 18 years of negotiations. It is the biggest economy outside the global trade-rules body. (Reuters)
