PM: Russian government to prolong counter-sanctions

MOSCOW, Jun 29 (PRIME) -- The Russian government will prepare prolongation of counter-measures against the E.U. until December 31, 2018, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a government meeting on Thursday.

Medvedev said that he has already discussed the issue with President Vladimir Putin. “Obviously, we will react adequately. This is why I discussed this issue with the president yesterday. The government will submit president’s proposals on prolongation of the retaliation for one more year, until December 31, 2018.”

Russia needs counter-sanctions to support its agriculture, he said.

“Farmers have asked us to prolong these measures many times and to outline the prospects of what they will be doing in the near future,” he said.

“We are doing this and I am sure they will be able to use these valuable opportunities to full extent.”

He said that political interest got the upper hand over the economic needs in Europe’s approach to Russia.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated to their worse since the Cold War due to a military conflict in Ukraine. The West introduced sanctions against some Russian individuals and firms and further against the energy and banking sectors. In response, Russia prohibited food imports from some countries, including the U.S., the E.U., Canada, Australia, and Norway.

The E.U. prolonged economic sanctions against Russia until January 31, 2018 on Wednesday.

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