Russia bans Western food imports, Ukraine scuffles heat up
- 10 years ago
Tension on the streets of Kiev.
Holdout demonstrators, angry at perceived Russian interference in Eastern Ukraine, are refusing to leave Independence Square, in an anti-Moscow protest that began last autumn.
But Moscow is showing no signs of changing tack, despite the protests.. and economic sanctions imposed by the west.
In fact the Russian government is now striking back with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announcing sanctions of his own.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER, DMITRY MEDVEDEV, SAYING:
"Russia is introducing a total ban on imports of beef, pork, fruit and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products from the European Union countries, the United States of America, Australia, Canada and the Kingdom of Norway."
It's a decision that the EU Commission says is clearly politically motivated although spokesman Frederic Vincent says the EU may retaliate.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EU COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON, FREDERIC VI
Holdout demonstrators, angry at perceived Russian interference in Eastern Ukraine, are refusing to leave Independence Square, in an anti-Moscow protest that began last autumn.
But Moscow is showing no signs of changing tack, despite the protests.. and economic sanctions imposed by the west.
In fact the Russian government is now striking back with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announcing sanctions of his own.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER, DMITRY MEDVEDEV, SAYING:
"Russia is introducing a total ban on imports of beef, pork, fruit and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products from the European Union countries, the United States of America, Australia, Canada and the Kingdom of Norway."
It's a decision that the EU Commission says is clearly politically motivated although spokesman Frederic Vincent says the EU may retaliate.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) EU COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON, FREDERIC VI