UPDATE 2: Russia may ban U.S. citizens, tobacco, food, drugs, software

(rewrites through)

MOSCOW, Apr 13 (PRIME) -- Russia may ban or impose partial restrictions on employment of U.S. citizens and citizens of the states that support the U.S., ban exports of rare earth metals and equipment made from such metals to the country, ban or restrict imports of U.S.-made agricultural, alcoholic and tobacco products, according to a bill seen by PRIME on Friday.

“We have discussed the necessity to respond to the rude behavior of the U.S. and creation of obstacles to Russian business during numerous talks on unfriendly activities against our country,” lower house speaker Vyacheslav Volodin told reporters.

“We plan to discuss the bill at a State Duma Council meeting… send it to our colleagues in the regions, discuss it again with experts and the government. After that we will consider it at the next State Duma session.”

An extraordinary council meeting is slated for April 16, he said.

Russia may raise fees on navigation services provided to cargo planes owned by the U.S and accept investment only from the states unsupportive of the U.S. policies.

The document envisages no ban on medicines whose analogues are not produced in Russia.

Deputy Ivan Mednikov said that the bill also suspends cooperation with the U.S. in the nuclear and rocket engine industries and bans U.S. citizens from privatization of Russia’s state and municipal property.

The law may also ban access of the U.S.-made technological equipment and software to Russia.

Vice Speaker of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoi said that the list of the measures may be expanded before the second reading in parliament.

He also said that the steps are unwanted and are not likely to hurt interests of Russians.

Vladimir Dzhabarov, deputy chairman of the Federation Council’s committee for international affairs, said that the upper chamber will endorse the draft and is ready to hear it rapidly.

End