Updated 4:33 p.m. Moscow Time
MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) – Russia's agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said Wednesday it may impose restrictions on imports of fruits and vegetables from Ukraine starting from October 21.
Russia suspects Ukraine of re-exporting European Union's agricultural products, banned by Russia in response to the Western sanctions earlier this year.
Rosselkhoznadzor requested Ukraine to provide information about the country's agriculture and harvest in various regions and "present other convincing guarantees that agriculture products, supplied to Russia, were produced in Ukraine" before October 21.
If Ukraine fails to grant the request, "Rosselkhoznadzor reserves the right to introduce additional protective measures, such as restrictions on imports of agricultural products, produced in Ukraine or transited via its territory."
Earlier this year, Russia halted imports of Ukrainian milk and milk products, cheese, certain brands of alcohol, potatoes, soy and soy products, sunflower seeds, canned food, pork and beef.
Over the past few months, the United States and its allies have introduced several rounds of economic sanctions against Russia, repeatedly accusing Russia of meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs and sending troops to Ukraine. However, none of these statements were supported with any evidence.
In August, Moscow responded to the Western sanctions, implementing a one-year ban on certain food imports from the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway.
