Extension of Russian retaliatory sanctions

Russia's President Putin has signed a decree extending to 6 August 2016 prohibitions against the import into the Russian Federation of certain food and agricultural products from the USA, Canada, the EU, Norway and Australia. These measures were first introduced on 7 August 2014 in response to trade and financial sanctions against Russia by those countries.  The embargo, which President Putin states is with the aim of defending Russia's national interests, will now continue until 6 August 2016.