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Ukraine crisis: Putin orders retaliatory sanctions Ukraine crisis: Putin orders retaliatory sanctions
(about 3 hours later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned or curbed agricultural imports from countries imposing sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine.Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned or curbed agricultural imports from countries imposing sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine.
In a decree (Russian text), he ordered the measures, which also apply to food imports, to be introduced for one year.In a decree (Russian text), he ordered the measures, which also apply to food imports, to be introduced for one year.
Government departments were instructed to come up with a list of products subject to the order.Government departments were instructed to come up with a list of products subject to the order.
Russia has imposed import bans on other states in the past, but normally on grounds of public health.Russia has imposed import bans on other states in the past, but normally on grounds of public health.
Excerpt from Putin's decree
With the aim of protecting the national interests of the Russian Federation and in accordance with the Federal Laws of 30 December 2006 No 281-FZ "On special economic measures" and of 28 December 2010 No 390-FZ "On security", I decree that: "State power bodies of the Russian Federation, federal state bodies, local government bodies, legal entities set up in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, and organizations and individuals that come under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation shall proceed in their actions from the fact that, for one year from the date when this decree comes into force, foreign economic transactions involving the importation into the territory of the Russian Federation of certain types of agricultural produce, raw materials and food of which the country of origin is a state which has taken a decision to impose economic sanctions against Russian legal entities and/or individuals, or joined such a decision, are banned or restricted..."
Wednesday's decree did not specify which countries would be affected by the new measures but the EU and US recently tightened sanctions on Russia, with Brussels extending them from individuals to sectors of the economy.Wednesday's decree did not specify which countries would be affected by the new measures but the EU and US recently tightened sanctions on Russia, with Brussels extending them from individuals to sectors of the economy.
Russia buys fruit and vegetables from the EU worth an annual 2bn euros (£1.6bn; $2.7bn), and food and agricultural products from the US worth about 1bn euros.Russia buys fruit and vegetables from the EU worth an annual 2bn euros (£1.6bn; $2.7bn), and food and agricultural products from the US worth about 1bn euros.
Analysis: Steve Rosenberg, BBC News, Moscow
Does this mean no more English cheddar at my local Moscow supermarket? No more German sausages? Or American chicken?
That's unclear. The Kremlin decree doesn't specify which items will be affected. Instead, President Putin has ordered his government to draw up the list of food and agricultural products to be limited or banned.
The Russian authorities clearly believe these restrictions will hurt foreign exporters more than the Russian economy. Moscow is already looking elsewhere for its food imports. It will hold talks this week with Argentina, Ecuador and Brazil.
Judging from the language coming out of Moscow, there is no sign of the Kremlin backing down over its support for armed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's deputy prime minister made it clear his country would defend itself "in a tough way, consistently and proactively" against foreign sanctions.
Last week Russia banned most agricultural imports from Poland on grounds of public health in what was seen as a thinly veiled retaliation for Poland's advocacy of tough action over Ukraine.Last week Russia banned most agricultural imports from Poland on grounds of public health in what was seen as a thinly veiled retaliation for Poland's advocacy of tough action over Ukraine.
In other developmentsIn other developments
'National interests''National interests'
The decree cites Russian "national interests" as grounds for the punitive measures.The decree cites Russian "national interests" as grounds for the punitive measures.
The list of goods being affected should be ready by Thursday, according to the Russian business daily Vedomosti. Wine and baby food will not be affected, it added.The list of goods being affected should be ready by Thursday, according to the Russian business daily Vedomosti. Wine and baby food will not be affected, it added.
Russia, which was first subjected to sanctions after annexing Crimea in March, has been accused of fomenting the armed rebellion in Ukraine's eastern regions.Russia, which was first subjected to sanctions after annexing Crimea in March, has been accused of fomenting the armed rebellion in Ukraine's eastern regions.
Brussels hardened its sanctions at the end of July, amid growing anger over the downing of the Malaysia Airlines jet.Brussels hardened its sanctions at the end of July, amid growing anger over the downing of the Malaysia Airlines jet.
All 298 passengers and crew aboard the plane were killed, 193 Dutch citizens among them.All 298 passengers and crew aboard the plane were killed, 193 Dutch citizens among them.
The new EU sanctions targeted close allies of Mr Putin such as billionaire tycoon Arkady Rotenberg but they also hit exports of oil industry and defence technology and affected Russian state banks' access to Western capital.The new EU sanctions targeted close allies of Mr Putin such as billionaire tycoon Arkady Rotenberg but they also hit exports of oil industry and defence technology and affected Russian state banks' access to Western capital.