Ukraine to extend sanctions against Russia through 2017
According to Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Natalia Mykolskaya, in response to the extension of food restrictions by Russia, Ukraine will extend its own food embargo until the end of 2017.
“The proposal of the Ministry is to extend our embargo [against Russia], measures that we take in retaliation, to the same term. We are ready to contact the Cabinet of Ministers with this proposal and consider this decision,” Mykolskaya said in her interview with journalists in Kiev on the 30th of June. This year, in addition to levying customs duties on goods from Ukraine, Russia has cancelled its free trade policy with Ukraine and has refused to import Ukrainian products.
Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a document extending the period of the ban on imported goods from Western countries that imposed sanctions against Russia through December 31, 2017.
On the 30th of December 2015, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers adopted resolution number 1147 banning the import of Russian goods. The ban is valid until the 5th of August 2016 or until Russia cancels its sanctions against Ukraine.
On the 10th of January, Ukraine imposed retaliatory trade sanctions against the Russian Federation. The import of food products (dairy products, tea, coffee, beer and spirits), certain industrial products, personal care products (soap, shower gels) and railway equipment (locomotives, trains, railcars and railroad switches) was suspended. Ukraine also appealed to the World Trade Organization concerning Russian restrictions.