Russia ready to respond to the West by banning imports of foreign cars

Moscow prepares additional measures, should the West continue the destructive policy of sanctions,  president's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

"We are developing various options. We have repeatedly said that Russia was not a champion of the language of sanctions. We did not initiate them either. But  should our partners continue running these destructive practices, then we are developing additional measures," RIA Novosti quoted Peskov as saying. The official did not clarify any details on what measures exactly the Russian government could take against the West.

Following the adoption of another package of sanctions against Russia, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to take certain specific economic measures. Russia thus prohibited imports of beef, pork, fruit, vegetables, dairy products, fish and other foodstuffs from unfriendly countries.

It transpired, though, that Russia's additional sanctions could extend to industrial goods, including automobiles. The economic war between Russia and the West may affect the field of air communication too. Ukrainian airlines are already prohibited from conducting transit flights through Russian airspace. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said two weeks ago that the ban could be extended to American and European airlines.

Meanwhile, even though the federal government assured that sanctions against Western food producers would not affect consumers, wholesale prices on several types of food products in Moscow and regions started to grow. Prices on pork rose by six percent, fish - by 40 percent.

Yet, many experts say that the restrictive measures against foreign suppliers will contribute to the development of domestic producers.

It is now clear that sanctions boomerang back to those who initiated them. As for the question of whether Russia can provide herself with food, this is a case of blessing in disguise. Restricting importation of products and measures of state support to Russian farmers will give a new impetus to the development of the agricultural sector, experts say.

Russia received a unique chance to make a breakthrough and take its agriculture to a whole new level, ensuring product independence. Russia's potential is huge, and its vast territories with different climatic zones provide an opportunity for the development of different areas of food production. Most importantly, Russia now has a chance to take a step in the development of the Russian economy and society - to create new productions, breathe new life into small and medium businesses and create new jobs.

Pravda.Ru