In a tit-for-tat move, Russia extended for six months – until January – its ban on imports of food from Europe and the United States, says Channel NewsAsia. Moscow acted following the decision by the European Union to keep in place economic sanctions that were imposed on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and continued fighting in Ukraine. Russia denies any direct involvement in Ukraine. The ban affects an estimated $9 billion worth of fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, milk and dairy products from the EU, the United States, Canada and Australia.
“Brussels hit Russia’s banking, oil and defense sectors hard and, along with the United States, has warned more sanctions could follow unless Moscow lives up to its February commitments to withdraw support for the rebels and use its influence with them to implement the peace deal for Ukraine,” said AFP.