Ukraine bans all imports from Russia
By Lidia Kelly
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Ukraine has banned all imports from Russia, one in all its key buying and selling companions earlier than the struggle with annual imports valued at about $6 billion, and referred to as on different international locations to observe and impose harsher financial sanctions on Moscow.
“Right this moment we formally introduced a whole termination of commerce in items with the aggressor state,” Financial system Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on her Fb web page on Saturday.
“Any further, no Russian Federation’s merchandise will have the ability 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 companies between the 2 neighbouring international locations has been just about non-existent, however Saturday’s transfer makes the termination of imports a regulation.
“The enemy’s price range won’t obtain these funds, which can cut back its potential to finance the struggle,” Svyrydenko stated.
“Such a step of Ukraine can serve for example 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 Zelenskiy has repeatedly referred to as on the West to boycott Russian oil and different exports and halt exports to Russia over its army assault.
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 financial system and on Saturday British Prime Premier Boris Johnson stated extra sanctions are to return.
(Reporting and writing by Lidia Kelly; Enhancing by Michael Perry)
