Ukraine bans all imports from Russia amid calls for harsher sanctions – National

Ukraine has banned all imports from Russia, one in all its key buying and selling companions earlier than the conflict with annual imports valued at about $6 billion, and referred to as on different international locations to comply with and impose harsher financial sanctions on Moscow.

“Right this moment we formally introduced a whole termination of commerce in items with the aggressor state,” Economic system Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on her Fb web page on Saturday.

“Any more, no Russian Federation’s merchandise will be capable to be imported into the territory of our state.”

Because the begin of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, trade of products and providers between the 2 neighboring international locations has been nearly non-existent, however Saturday’s transfer makes the termination of imports a legislation.

“The enemy’s funds won’t obtain these funds, which can cut back its potential to finance the conflict,” Svyrydenko mentioned.

“Such a step of Ukraine can serve for instance for our Western companions and stimulate them to strengthen sanctions towards Russia, together with the implementation of the vitality embargo and isolation of all Russian banks.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly referred to as on the West to boycott Russian oil and different exports and halt exports to Russia over its navy assault. Learn full story

The West has imposed quite a few measures on Russia which have already remoted Moscow to a level by no means earlier than skilled by such a big economic system and on Saturday British Prime Premier Boris Johnson mentioned extra sanctions are to come back.

(Reporting and writing by Lidia Kelly; Enhancing by Michael Perry)