SOCHI (Sputnik) — Brussels, Washington and some of their allies have imposed several rounds of sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, as well as a number of individuals and entities, over Crimea’s reunification with Russia and Moscow's alleged interference in Ukraine's internal conflict.
Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia has imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions.
“Of course, I don’t rule out an extension [of responsive measures],” Ulyukayev told journalists, adding “as long as sanctions are in place, counter-sanctions will remain in place, and this seems to me to be the tradition of business turnover and is a completely normal situation. This is not our choice. We never bring this topic up with our European colleagues, it is they who bring it up.”