Russia retaliates against Ukraine’s expansion of import ban

GORKI, Moscow Region, Apr 18 (PRIME) – Moscow has banned imports of Ukrainian machines, exports of oil and oil products to Ukraine in retaliation against Ukraine’s expansion of a ban on imports of Russian goods, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a government meeting on Thursday.

“Several days ago, the Ukrainian cabinet of ministers made another unfriendly step against our country and expanded the list of Russian goods whose imports to Ukraine are banned. In these conditions, we have to protect our interests and take retaliatory measures. I’ve signed a government ruling on this topic,” he said.

Russia also expanded the blacklist of Ukrainian goods to production of the Ukrainian machine-tool, light, and the metals processing industries, the combined price of which almost reached U.S. $250 million last year, he said.

“Secondly, we set a ban on exports of Russian oil and oil products to Ukraine. Thirdly, we’ve drawn a list of goods, whose exports to Ukraine will be allowed only on special decisions starting from June 1. This category includes production of the fuel and energy complex, including coal and the same oil and oil products,” he said.

The Ukrainian government expanded the blacklist of Russian goods on April 10, and banned imports of glass canning jars, glass bottles and other glass containers for foods and beverages, carbamide-formaldehyde concentrate, resins, and electric accessories for commutation used in railway automatics equipment.

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