Russian customs have blocked the entry of a number of Armenian lorries for ‘violating sanitary measures’, as relations between the two countries continue to deteriorate. The lorries are believed to be carrying fruits, vegetables, flowers and fish.
Russia has frequently introduced restrictions of imports from neighboring countries on ‘sanitary grounds’, including Armenia, during times of heightened tension. A representative of one company that has lorries stuck at the border stated that Russia was barring the entry of the lorries because it ‘trying to oppress Armenia economically. The reason is that Armenia is changing its political trajectory’. “There has always been phytosanitary control, either formally or normally, but there was no such problem as the widespread banning of exports,” he added.
Armenian exports to Russia have dramatically increased since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Russia has sought to replace supplies previously coming from the West.
Source: oc-media.org