Russia bans oil exports to Ukraine

Russia has banned exports of oil and some oil products to Ukraine and Ukrainian engineering products imports in response to recent import bans imposed by Kiev, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday.

"A few days ago, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine took another unfriendly step towards our country, expanding the list of Russian goods prohibited for import into Ukraine," Medvedev said at a government meeting broadcast live by the TASS news agency.

"Under these conditions, we have to defend our interests and take retaliatory measures: I signed a government decree on this," he said.

The decree published on the Russian government web site bans oil and some oil product exports, as well as imports of a number of Ukrainian goods, primarily engineering, light industry and metalworking products with immediate effect.

From June 1, a restriction would apply to coal, gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied gases, which can be exported to Ukraine only on the basis of individual permits.

On April 10, Ukraine imposed a ban on imports of some Russian products, including electrical equipment, some car parts, chemicals and glass containers for food and beverages.