Russian PM approves sanctions on Turkish trade

MOSCOW

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a government decree that will place economic sanctions on Turkish goods in a move to retaliate for the downing of a Russian bomber jet last week which violated Turkish airspace. 

According to a statement from Russian government Tuesday, Russian side will halt the import of Turkish white meat goods as well as vegetables and fruits like tomatos, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, oranges, apples, pears, strawberries and tangerines as of Jan. 1, 2016.

Turkey is a major supplier of food and agricultural produce to Russia with $1.68 billion worth of trade last year. 

Turkish companies operating in Russia and Turkish staff employed by Russian companies will also face restrictions.

After the U.S. and EU imposed sanctions on Russia for its role in the conflict in Ukraine, Russia retaliated with restrictions on the importation of food from the European Union and other western countries in August. 

The decree will also suspend the co-funding that was planned to be established between Ankara and Moscow to support joint projects. 

In addition to the sanctions, the Russian government also announced that charter flights between Russia and Turkey will be cancelled as of Dec. 1.

On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the order imposing a package of sanctions on Turkey and limitations on specific Turkish exports.

The Russian move came after two Turkish F-16 fighter jets on an aerial patrol last week intercepted an unidentified warplane within rules of engagement when it intruded into Turkish airspace on the Turkey-Syria border.

The intruding aircraft was warned about the violation 10 times within five minutes before it was shot down.

The Russian Defense Ministry later announced that its Russian SU-24 warplane had been shot down. It crashed in the Syrian region of Bayirbucak close to Yayladagi district of Turkey's southern Hatay province.