Source: Kremlin
Russia opens borders
The Russian government has revised the boycott conditions. The borders are now open for poultry, beef and vegetables that are to be processed into baby food, reports the Russian news agency TASS. This applies to frozen and dried vegetables which are used specifically in baby food. The Minister of Agriculture has the responsibility to set quotas and issue import licenses, based on the demand from baby food producers.
According to a Russian source, the measure is necessary to stimulate the domestic production of baby food. The borders are open since 27 May.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich stated that there are currently no plans to remove more products from the boycott list.
Merkel: Minsk agreements remain a key condition to lift sanctions
While several European countries are voicing their criticism regarding the sanctions against Russia, Chancellor Merkel is sticking to the old arguments. The German government sees no reason to lift the sanctions unless the Minks agreements are implemented. As long as the agreements are not enforced, according to Merkel, lifting the sanctions "won't be considered." However, she also added the decision must be taken at a European level.
Russia prepares to change sanctions
The Russian Minister of Economic Affairs said that Russia is willing to reconsider the sanctions if Europe does the same. "I think that if Europe changes its sanction policies, there could also be a change in our counter-sanctions. I believe (the list of boycotted products) could be reduced if the sanctions become more lenient," said the Minister.
Gradual reduction of sanctions
The positions of Germany and Ukraine as regards the procedure to remove the sanctions against Russia are significantly different. During a press conference, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that it would be possible to relax the sanctions step by step, as progress is made in implementing the Minks agreements. Ukraine, for its part, wants the sanctions to be removed only when the Minsk agreements are fully implemented.
There is still tension between Russia and Turkey
The working group that Turkey wanted to set up to move towards a better relationship with Russia was rejected. According to the Kremlin, the Turkish government is the one that must take steps. Russian demands and apology and compensation for the losses. Turkish President Erdogan, however, said not to understand what steps the Kremlin wants him to take. He does not understand how the good relations between the two countries could be spoiled for "the error of one pilot." With this, he was referring to last year's incident, when a Russian fighter plane was shot down by Turkish soldiers.
Ukrainian prices continue to fall
In the week from 21 to 27 May, fruits and vegetable prices in Ukraine have fallen by 5.1 percent. Over the past four weeks, prices have halved, as reported by Fruit-Inform. The new cabbage crops cost less than 4 cents per kilo and their sales are running smoothly. The demand for old white cabbage is dramatically low. The new supply of carrots and onions is putting pressure on the prices for these products. Greenhouse vegetables have become 6 percent cheaper.
Armenian export increased
The Armenian government recently presented some statistics from the agricultural sector. In general, the sector is growing. The export of fruit and vegetables amounted to 48,000 tonnes, while in the previous year it had stood at 19,850 tonnes. According to the government, only 192 tonnes of Turkish tomatoes have been imported in the first five months of this year. In the past, Armenian growers had complained about the competition from Turkish tomatoes.