MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia could restrict or even ban Turkish vessels and aircraft from entering Russian ports and airspace, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Thursday.
"Based on developed regulations in the form of a presidential decree and a government decision, measures may be introduced aimed at ensuring the country's security and protection of its legitimate interests, the rights and freedoms of its citizens," Ulyukayev said at a government meeting.
These measures could include "the establishment or changes in import and export customs duties, a prohibition or restriction to enter Russian ports and on using Russian airspace, limitations on tourism activities," according to the minister.
"There are no serious risks," Maksim Oreshkin said, answering the question on whether tensions between Moscow and Ankara could negatively affect inflation in Russia.
On Tuesday, a Russian Su-24 jet crashed in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the plane was downed by an air-to-air missile launched by a Turkish F-16 jet over Syrian territory, falling 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the Turkish border. Putin described the Turkish attack as a "stab in the back" carried out by "accomplices of terrorists."
Economic cooperation between the two countries has already worsened. Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor announced health and sanitary claims against a Turkish company specializing in poultry production, while the Russian Foreign Ministry recommended tourists to avoid travelling to Turkey.
