The decree was signed after the EU extended sanctions on Russia until June 23, 2020, over its annexation of Crimea. Moscow last July extended its ban on food imports from Western countries for another 18 months in response to the EU’s extended sanctions on Russia.

Relations between Russia and Western countries deteriorated following a 2014 crisis in Ukraine that led to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Moscow has repeatedly insisted that the annexation was based on a referendum in accordance with international law.