Russia approves list of food sanctions against Turkey
|AP Photo


Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev approved a list of sanctions against Turkey in retaliation for the downing of a Russian warplane, but the measures stuck largely to what Moscow had previously threatened and had several notable omissions.The order, published on the government's official website on Tuesday, listed agricultural products that Russia would no longer import from Turkey from Jan. 1, 2016 and formalized a ban on charter flights to Turkey from Dec. 1.But it did not target important energy projects such as the Turkish Stream gas pipeline or food stuffs such as lemons or nuts, most of which Russia imports from Turkey.Relations between Moscow and Ankara have sharply deteriorated since Turkey shot down the Russian fighter bomber near the Syrian-Turkish border on Nov. 24.The government order also included a halt on the activity of an inter-governmental trade commission and restrictions on Turkish transport companies.The list of foods banned from next year included fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, grapes, apricots and apples, as well as chicken products and salt.Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Saturday the sanctions would be imposed. Russian officials have said they could be expanded if necessary. The incident, in which one of the pilots was killed, has led to heightened tension between Turkey and Russia, with President Vladimir Putin announcing economic sanctions.On November 24, a Russian warplane violated Turkish airspace despite being warned 10 times in the space of five minutes, according to the Turkish military. Two Turkish F-16 jets on patrol duty along the border were involved in the downing of the warplane.The Prime Minister also highlighted that Turkey will continue its efforts to expel Daesh terrorists from the region along the Syrian side of the border.