Hope of a free trade deal with Russia

It's hoped a free trade deal with Russia will be signed by the end of the year.

But it won't be happening during this weekend's APEC meeting, where the Prime Minister will meet President Vladmir Putin for the first time.

John Key leaves for Vladivostok today to attend three days of meetings.

Trade Minister Tim Groser is already in Russia and says the FTA is the number one issue as far as he's concerned.

"I've been up to Russia twice in the last two or three months to try and get it back on track. It's on track, but whether it's enough on track to get this deal politically advanced during the Prime Minister's visit - I can't tell you. We're doing everything possible to make it happen."

Dairy is believed to be the sticking point for the FTA.

"I hope I've got this back on the radar. The political problems are the same old problems we have with all of our trading partners. They fear the competitivity of New Zealand agriculture." 

Mr Groser says their producers are opposed to free trade with New Zealand, full stop.

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