Russia PM orders retaliatory economic measures against Turkey
Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has ordered his government to draw up retaliatory economic measures against Turkey amid ongoing tensions between the two sides over Ankara’s downing of Russian military aircraft over Syrian skies.
“The government has been ordered to work out a system of response measures to this act of aggression in the economic and humanitarian spheres,” Medvedev told his cabinet in a meeting on Thursday in Moscow.
The Russian premier also called on his ministers to draw up plans that would include freezing some joint investment projects, restricting financial and trade transactions, changing customs duties and restrictions on food imports from Turkey.
The measures can also target the tourism and transport sectors as well as labor markets Medvedev also said during the meeting, adding, “I propose doing all this in a period of two days so that we can move to setting up the appropriate procedures as quickly as possible.”
During the meeting, Russian Economy Minister Alexey Ulyukaev said the TurkStream gas pipeline project may be subject to restrictions. The major gas pipeline project, whose construction began in June, would supply Russian natural gas to Turkey, when finished.
Ulyukaev further announced possible bans on civil flights to and from Turkey, and a halt to preparations for a free trade zone.
The Russian Ministry of Agriculture also said it has tasked food safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor with stepping up checks on food and agriculture imports from Turkey.
Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Turkey is consciously attempting to bring Moscow-Ankara relations to a standstill.
Tensions between Moscow and Ankara skyrocketed after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet conducting airstrikes against terrorists inside Syria near the Turkish border on Tuesday.
NATO member Turkey claims the aircraft was downed after it violated its air space, but Russia denies Ankara’s claim, maintaining that the jet was brought down in Syrian airspace.
Russia has been carrying out aerial operations against Takfiri terrorists in Syria since September 30 upon a request by the Damascus government.
Turkey has time and again been accused of aiding and abetting supporters of militant groups operating in Syria.
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