Ukraine extends ban on Russian items to vodka

Ukraine has extended its list of Russian items banned from being imported into the country to include vodka.

Ukraine has expanded its list of Russian products banned from being brought into the country to include vodka

The move comes as sanctions imposed by the US and western allies are reported to be having a greater impact on Moscow than originally forecast.

As reported by the Washington Times, on Monday prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk revealed a list of 43 categories of Russian-made products that are forbidden from being brought into Ukraine – including vodka, meat, fish, coffee, filtered cigarettes, tea and other items.

“I have instructed the economic ministry to review and expand the list of [banned] products that should be categorised as countermeasures to protect the Ukrainian domestic market against Russian economic aggression,” said Yatsenyuk.

News of the ban broke two days after president Vladimir Putin told German media that current sanctions implemented due to Moscow’s policies towards Kiev “are severely harming Russia”.

In 2014, a number of retailers in the US took Russian vodka off their shelves amid controversy over Russia’s move to occupy Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula.