July 17 (Bloomberg) -- Russia could join the World Trade Organization as soon as next year if it gets the backing the U.S. has publicly pledged, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing an interview with Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.

He said Russia wasn't discarding previous agreements struck with the WTO but would continue talks along with Belrus and Kazakhstan; Shuvalov also warned Russia must be weaned away from its dependence on oil and gas because high energy prices presented a danger to long-term economic development, the newspaper said.

Last Updated: July 17, 2009 00:04 EDT