Putin extends counter-sanctions, including against Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended until the end of 2021 the effect of his decree on "food embargo" against a number of countries, including Ukraine, that have adopted anti-Russian sanctions,.

The government has been instructed to ensure the implementation of restrictive measures and, if required, to submit proposals to change their validity terms, according to RIA Novosti.

Sanctions against Russia and Kremlin's response

In July 2014, the European Union, as well as the United States, Canada, Japan, and a number of other countries announced a package of sanctions against individuals, companies, banks, and certain sectors of the Russian economy over Russia's efforts aimed at destabilizing Ukraine.

The first stage of sanctions was introduced back in March 2014 – after the attempted annexation of Ukraine's Crimea by Russia.

Read alsoRussia to shut down trade missions in Ukraine, LithuaniaIn August 2014, Russia imposed restrictive measures against Western powers in response to the said sanctions.

Imports of certain types of agricultural products, raw materials, and foodstuffs were prohibited from the USA, EU, Canada, Australia and a number of other countries.

Later, the embargo was extended to Albania, Montenegro, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and since 2016 – to Ukraine.

The ban includes meat, sausage, fish and seafood, vegetables, fruit, and dairy.

Russia has been extending its response measures along with the relevant prolongation of western sanctions.