Russia has extended food import ban imposed in response to punishment, Albania, Montenegro, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Ukraine, besides at last suspended - Ban on the importation of its products will start to operate only in the case of the Kiev economic some agreement about unification with the European Union, said the Prime Minister Medvedev D. a..

"Now to the member States of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Norway and the USA, of which in the last month of summer last year were not prohibited the supply of the agricultural products, supplemented by a number of States, namely: Albania, Montenegro, Iceland, Liechtenstein and special conditions Ukraine ", - Medvedev said at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

"These countries joined the EU decision to extend the anti-punishment, they argue their decision on the fact That we are obliged to impose These penalties due to various kinds of agreements with the EU. But this position is only partly fair. I wish to note That the number of countries that have similar agreements with the EU in sanctions against the Russian Federation does not participate ", - noted the head of the Russian government.

"The imposition of sanctions is a conscious choice, which means readiness to retaliation on our part. And what are taken ", - noted the Prime Minister.

"As for Ukraine. Ban on import of agricultural products will start to operate only in the case of the government of that state economic some agreement about unification with the European Union, which Kiev ended in June of last year. We agreed to give some time, until 1 January next year, to address issues of economic regulation. After this period, if We cannot come to a consensus with the mediation of the European Union, and no signs that I can't see, will come into force before the adopted documents that set for Ukraine normal trade regime and the embargo on food. Here such decisions, " said Medvedev.

The press service of the government of the Russian Federation stresses That the EU's decision to extend until 23 June 2016 introduced in 2014 economic limits concerning Crimea, and in 2014, again joined Ukraine, Albania, Montenegro, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Georgia. Russia when deciding on the extension of its response to individual countries take into account " the degree of their involvement in the sanctions regime against Russia ".

Russia in the last month of summer 2014 limited the import of food items from States that have entered against her punishment: USA, EU, Canada, Australia and Norway. The Ban covers meat, sausages, fish and seafood, vegetables, fruits, dairy products. In June 2015, in response to the extension of the sanctions Russia has extended food embargo for one year, until August 5, 2016.

sections: Politics