Putin Vows to 'Drag Out' Food Import Ban in Response to Western Sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Moscow would try to prolong its response measures to West's anti-Russian sanctions.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow first introduced a ban on certain food imports in August 2014 in response to economic sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and their allies over Moscow's alleged participation in Ukraine crisis.

In late June, the European Union extended the sanctions imposed against Russia. Moscow, in turn, prolonged the food embargo.

"The consumer is interested in getting good-quality products at the least possible price, so we need to create competitive conditions. So we will be dragging out as long as possible," Putin said at an All-Russia People's Front forum.