Russia introduces customs and food embargo for Ukraine as of January 1st to protect its market, as well as similar actions against countries that support sanctions against Russia. This was stated by the Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister - reports RIA-Novosti.
"Ukraine has declared that, if we talk directly, it will continue implementation of the economic part of the Association Agreement with the EU as of the beginning of the next year. In these circumstances we need to protect our market and our producers and to prevent the importation under the guise of Ukrainian goods commodities from other countries. In practice this means that as of January 1st, 2016 we will apply import duties stipulated by the Common Customs Tariff of the Eurasian economic Union in regard to Ukraine,"- said Medvedev.
In addition, he recalled that as of January 1st, 2016 Ukraine will face retaliatory economic measures in connection with its accession to the anti-Russian sanctions of the EU and the US.
"We extended these measures to a number of countries - Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Albania in August this year. We banned the import of agricultural products, raw materials and food. In respect of Ukraine there was a condition that Russia wouldn’t impose sanctions if they held certain consultations to reach agreement on the economic part of the Association Agreement with the EU. Since Ukraine adopted a decision on implementation, no special agreements ... are reached, as of January 1st these measures will be imposed on Ukraine", - said Medvedev.
"I have just signed the corresponding decree", – added he.