(VOVworld) - Russia extended its ban on certain food imports from the US, the European Union and elsewhere for one year in retaliation for the EU’s decision to prolong penalties imposed over the conflict in Ukraine.

(Photo: AFP/ VNA)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he signed a decree extending the counter-sanctions following a request submitted by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Earlier, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko said Russia should take into account the position of EU countries, referring to Hungary, Greece and Cyprus, which have good economic and political relations with Russia. Minister of Agriculture Aleksandr Tkachev proposed adding flowers, confectionary, and canned fish to the embargo list.
According to Russia’s TASS News Agency, Putin said the decree was signed at the government’s request after the EU extended economic sanctions on Russia. The embargo is extended for 1 year, starting from June 24, 2015.