Putin orders import ban in repsonse to sanctions

President Vladimir Putin has ordered government agencies to restrict imports of food and agricultural products from the countries that have imposed sanctions against Russia.

The text of Mr Putin’s decree released by the Kremlin says that such imports will be “banned or limited” for one year.

The decree does not name any specific countries or products, but contains an order to government agencies to spell them out.

The move follows the latest round of sanctions imposed by the EU last week, which for the first time targeted entire sectors of the Russian economy. The US and the EU have accused Russia of fomenting tensions in eastern Ukraine and have imposed asset freezes and loan bans on a score of individuals and companies.