The government of Russia has extended a ban on imports of perishable foods from the European Union, the USA, and several other countries.
The banned food imports include meat, fish, dairy, fruit, and vegetables. The import embargo was first imposed in August 2014 in retaliation to sanctions by Western countries to the crisis in the Crimea. It has now been extended until 31 December 2018.
The decision follows the EU’s increase of its own economic and export sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the import ban will be lifted as soon as the Western economic sanctions are lifted.