MOSCOW, August 8 (RIA Novosti) - Banning the import of food and agricultural products from certain Western countries was a necessary measure, Sergei Naryshkin, the speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament said Friday, expressing hope that EU officials would realize the absurdity and danger of further sanctions.
“They [food import limitations] are reciprocal measures taken to protect the safety of our country and its citizens. It is not our choice, it is a necessity, but I sincerely hope that reasonable, sensible European politicians will realize the absurdity and danger of introducing further sanctions,” Naryshkin said.
The speaker also called the European sanctions against Russia “a means of foreign policy intimidation.”
“The so-called sanctions against Russia, imposed by several EU members, have nothing to do with the rule of law. They violate the fundamental principles of the free market, contradict all of European democracies’ past experience, and are but means of foreign policy intimidation,” the speaker added.
Russia has banned imports of agricultural and food products from countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia over the Ukrainian crisis for a year.
The banned products include meat, poultry, fish, seafood, milk, dairy products and fruits and vegetables from Australia, Canada, the European Union, the United States and Norway.
