The Russian minister of Agriculture says that lifting the boycott would not damage the Russian agricultural sector. Representative of the Italian region Liguria are joining the side of the opposition against sanctions. The Ukraine will not be able to enter the NAVO or the EU in the next twenty years. Russia harvested more vegetables and potatoes last year, but less fruit. Turkey is no longer allowing Russian trucks through and Tadjikistan fears a drought.
Russian minister: "Lifting boycott not damaging"
Lifting the boycott won't damage the Russian agricultural sector, according to the minister of Agriculture Alexander Tkachev. "I think lifting the boycott isn't a threat to us or a failure on our part, as we know that the devaluation of the ruble is the main support for the Russian agricultural sector." Lifting the sanctions would allow Russian companies access to the capital markets again.
Spain responds to Ukraine boycott
A few weeks ago there was an incident in which the Ukrainian phytosanitary inspection discovered trips in a party of Spanish product. The Spanish authorities knew that a boycott might follow. Due to the warm winter these small insects are thriving. "But this doesn't mean that the products are unsuitable for consumption," according to a Spanish trader. The Ukrainian market has a small share in the Spanish export, so no large losses are expected.
Italy: "end to sanctions as soon as possible"
In recent weeks there has been increasing messages to European governments to end the sanctions. The president of the north west of the Italian region Liguria has joined the opposition of the sanctions. During a visit to Moscow he said to want to end the sanctions as soon as possible, according to Russian media. On the short term the Italian is talking to the Russians about collaboration.
Juncker: Ukraine not an EU member in next 20 years
The Ukraine will not be able to enter the NAVO or EU in the next 20 years, said the president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. He was responding to the referendum being held in the Netherlands next month on this topic in response to an FTA that the EU and the Ukraine want to sign. The agreement isn't a first step to membership. Russia sees the rapprochement between the Ukraine and the EU and NAVO as a threat to state security.
Russia: more potatoes, less fruit
According to the Russian bureau for statistics the fruit harvest in the country was lower last year. According to the figures the volume was 612,500 tonnes of fruit, 5 percent less than last year. The yield per hectare did increase. The vegetables production was 2.8 million tonnes, an increase of 11.7 percent. The yield per hectare increased by 10 percent. The potato harvest was also higher, with an increase of 22 percent to 4.6 million tonnes.
Tadjikistan expects drought
The president of Tadzjikistan is warning of drought. Little snow fell last winter and this spring, which could be a harbinger of water shortages. The president recommends building up water supplies now that there is sufficient water available.
Turkey closes borders to Russian trucks
According to Russian media Turkey isn't allowing trucks with Russian plates over the border. As of 1 February new licenses have to be supplied for the Russian trucks. Previously there were also reports of Turkish trucks being denied access at the Russian border for the same reason. A new agreement is being negotiated at a government level.
Russia threatens boycott on Belarus re-export
The Russian phytosanitary service has announced a boycott of Belarus re-export of products with documents from Kenya, India and Liberia. The Russian suspect that these documents are forged. The inspection has asked the countries for an explanation, if no certificates can be presented, Russia will destroy the products.