Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Wednesday banning or restricting imports of agricultural products, raw materials and food for one year from a country that has invoked economic sanctions against Russian businesses and individuals.
Stopping short of an outright ban, Russia may adapt restrictive measures such as targeted items to avoid an impact on domestic prices of farm products. It could also be an attempt to pitch the retaliatory action to the domestic audience, rather than actually dealing a blow to those countries slapping sanctions over the Ukrainian crisis.
The government is preparing a list of specific goods subject to the decree, Itar-Tass News Agency said, citing a government spokeswoman.
Russia had announced some retaliatory measures such as a ban on some poultry imports from the United States but most of them have only a limited impact. Putin also said Tuesday that retaliation should not adversely affect domestic producers and consumers.