Russian president Vladimir Putin is reportedly looking to extend an embargo on certain food products from the EU for 'as long as possible'.
Just-Food.com has reported that the Russian president made the comments at a forum hosted by the All-Russia People's Front, when questioned by a businessman in the meat sector.
According to a transcript of the Q&A session, Putin replied, "I understand you, and I can whisper in your ear that we will prolong them as long as possible."
Russia has had a ban in place on fresh produce, meat, seafood and certain other products from the EU since 2014, and it announced an extension of the ban earlier this year.
Back in the summer, Freshfel, which represents the European fresh-produce sector, "stressed the importance [of maintaining] dialogue with the Russian authorities to progressively restore business, which is also affected by the volatile economic circumstances in Russia".
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.