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Russia hits West with food import ban in sanctions row Russia hits West with food import ban in sanctions row
(about 1 hour later)
Russia is imposing a "full embargo" on food imports from the EU, US and some other Western countries, in response to sanctions over Ukraine.Russia is imposing a "full embargo" on food imports from the EU, US and some other Western countries, in response to sanctions over Ukraine.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said it would include fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy imports.Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said it would include fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy imports.
Australia, Canada and Norway are also affected.Australia, Canada and Norway are also affected.
Elsewhere, Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Ukraine's freedom and future were "under attack," promising support against Russian "aggression".Elsewhere, Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Ukraine's freedom and future were "under attack," promising support against Russian "aggression".
The latest developments come during heightened tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, where heavy shelling was reported in the eastern rebel stronghold of Donetsk on Thursday.The latest developments come during heightened tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, where heavy shelling was reported in the eastern rebel stronghold of Donetsk on Thursday.
Airspace banAirspace ban
In addition to the food imports embargo, Russia is banning Ukrainian airlines from transit across its territory, Mr Medvedev said in televised comments to the government.In addition to the food imports embargo, Russia is banning Ukrainian airlines from transit across its territory, Mr Medvedev said in televised comments to the government.
The Russian government is also considering banning transit flights for EU and US airlines in retaliation for sanctions over Ukraine, he said.The Russian government is also considering banning transit flights for EU and US airlines in retaliation for sanctions over Ukraine, he said.
Barring airlines from Siberian airspace would significantly increase costs and flying time for many jets bound for Asian destinations.Barring airlines from Siberian airspace would significantly increase costs and flying time for many jets bound for Asian destinations.
EU food exports to Russia last year were worth 11.8bn euros (£9bn; $15.8bn) while US food exports to Russia were worth 972m euros (£772m; $1.3bn).EU food exports to Russia last year were worth 11.8bn euros (£9bn; $15.8bn) while US food exports to Russia were worth 972m euros (£772m; $1.3bn).
Russia was the EU's second-biggest market for food exports (10% of total), after the US (13%).Russia was the EU's second-biggest market for food exports (10% of total), after the US (13%).
The European Commission said the Russian embargo was "clearly politically motivated". It is considering how to respond.The European Commission said the Russian embargo was "clearly politically motivated". It is considering how to respond.
Western governments accuse the Kremlin of fomenting the unrest in eastern Ukraine by supplying weapons and expertise to the pro-Russian separatists.Western governments accuse the Kremlin of fomenting the unrest in eastern Ukraine by supplying weapons and expertise to the pro-Russian separatists.
Nato's Anders Fogh Rasmussen, speaking during a visit to Kiev on Thursday, called on Russia to stop supporting the rebels and pull back its troops from Ukraine's border.Nato's Anders Fogh Rasmussen, speaking during a visit to Kiev on Thursday, called on Russia to stop supporting the rebels and pull back its troops from Ukraine's border.
Russia "should not use peace-keeping as an excuse for war-making," he is quoted by Reuters as saying. Russia "should not use peace-keeping as an excuse for war-making", he is quoted by Reuters as saying.
Last month the EU and US tightened sanctions on Russia, with Brussels applying restrictions to key sectors of the economy as well as individuals. The first round of sanctions came after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March.Last month the EU and US tightened sanctions on Russia, with Brussels applying restrictions to key sectors of the economy as well as individuals. The first round of sanctions came after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March.
The crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 last month, killing 298 people, exacerbated tensions between the West and Russia, as the separatists in eastern Ukraine were widely blamed. It is strongly suspected that a Russian missile system was used to down the jet.The crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 last month, killing 298 people, exacerbated tensions between the West and Russia, as the separatists in eastern Ukraine were widely blamed. It is strongly suspected that a Russian missile system was used to down the jet.
Dutch investigators have suspended work at the crash site, saying it is too dangerous, and Ukrainian forces battling the rebels in the area say their ceasefire has now ended.Dutch investigators have suspended work at the crash site, saying it is too dangerous, and Ukrainian forces battling the rebels in the area say their ceasefire has now ended.
Resignation
There has been more heavy shelling on the outskirts of rebel-held Donetsk as Ukrainian troops edge closer to the city. Several civilian deaths were reported.There has been more heavy shelling on the outskirts of rebel-held Donetsk as Ukrainian troops edge closer to the city. Several civilian deaths were reported.
In a separate development, the political leader of the separatists in Donetsk announced that he was resigning his position on Thursday.
Alexander Borodai, a Russian national, said a local field commander named Aleksander Zakharchenko would take over his role. Mr Borodai has vowed to continue working in Donetsk.
Meanwhile, there were scuffles in the heart of the Ukrainian capital Kiev when municipal workers started dismantling tents used by protesters.Meanwhile, there were scuffles in the heart of the Ukrainian capital Kiev when municipal workers started dismantling tents used by protesters.
Acrid smoke from burning tyres billowed over Independence Square, where protesters first began camping last November, in the huge "Maidan" rallies which eventually toppled President Viktor Yanukovych.Acrid smoke from burning tyres billowed over Independence Square, where protesters first began camping last November, in the huge "Maidan" rallies which eventually toppled President Viktor Yanukovych.
Sourcing food in RussiaSourcing food in Russia
President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that Russia would retaliate against Western sanctions. The embargo will last for a year and takes effect immediately. President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that the food embargo would take immediate effect and last for a year.
Mr Medvedev ordered the agriculture ministry and producer organisations to find ways to boost Russian farm output in order to prevent price rises for consumers.Mr Medvedev ordered the agriculture ministry and producer organisations to find ways to boost Russian farm output in order to prevent price rises for consumers.
Western exports of baby food to Russia are not on the sanctions list. Western pet food is not banned either, and Russians are not barred from buying Western food abroad, within customs limits.
The Russian authorities say they are confident the supermarket shelves will not be left empty - they are searching for alternative suppliers in South America, Turkey and China.The Russian authorities say they are confident the supermarket shelves will not be left empty - they are searching for alternative suppliers in South America, Turkey and China.
But filling the gap will not be easy, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow. It is estimated that in big cities, like Moscow, more than 60% of food in the shops is imported.But filling the gap will not be easy, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow. It is estimated that in big cities, like Moscow, more than 60% of food in the shops is imported.
Researchers at Capital Economics say "far and away the most vulnerable to the Russian sanctions is Lithuania, where exports of the banned products to Russia are equivalent to 2.5% of GDP".Researchers at Capital Economics say "far and away the most vulnerable to the Russian sanctions is Lithuania, where exports of the banned products to Russia are equivalent to 2.5% of GDP".
But they add that "the biggest loser from the import ban looks set to be Russia".But they add that "the biggest loser from the import ban looks set to be Russia".
Previous food fights
The major food exporters to Russia last year were, in order of importance: Belarus ($2.7bn), Brazil ($2.4bn), Ukraine ($1.9bn), Germany ($1.8bn) and Turkey ($1.68bn), Reuters news agency reports.The major food exporters to Russia last year were, in order of importance: Belarus ($2.7bn), Brazil ($2.4bn), Ukraine ($1.9bn), Germany ($1.8bn) and Turkey ($1.68bn), Reuters news agency reports.
In 2013 the biggest food sector in EU exports to Russia was cheese and curd, followed by pork, then alcoholic drinks, then apples, pears and quinces. Fact box: Russian food imports
At the end of July Russia banned all fruit and vegetable imports from Poland, which has been among the most vocal critics of Russia's involvement in Ukraine.
In January Russia also imposed a ban on imports of pigs and pork from the EU. The European Commission says that move was "disproportionate", closing a market worth 25% of total EU pig and pork exports.
Before the sweeping new embargo was announced, Russia cited public health reasons for banning certain food and drink imports.
Russia has also banned various food imports from Ukraine and Moldova - two ex-Soviet neighbours whose pro-Western policies have angered the Kremlin.
Are you in Russia? What will the food embargo mean for you? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Russia? What will the food embargo mean for you? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.