Moscow threatens "unfriendly" countries with food and crops supplies

Russian President Vladimir Putin had said in late March that Russia would only accept payments in rubles for the delivery of gas to "unfriendly countries", including all members of the European Union, after imposing severe sanctions on it for its military action in Ukraine.

I decided to implement a set of measures to make payments for gas supplies to unfriendly countries in Russian Ruble," Putin added, explaining that this came in response to the freezing of Russia's assets in the West due to its military action in Ukraine.

On Monday, the Russian government announced that the authorities had drawn up a list of "unfriendly" countries that Russian companies and individuals would be able to pay their dues in rubles, which has lost 45 percent of its value since January.

On March 7, the Russian government announced the creation of a list of "unfriendly" countries, which includes "countries that have imposed or acceded to sanctions" against Russia over its military action in Ukraine.

The list includes the United States, Canada, European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Albania, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Macedonia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Micronesia, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan.

The list did not include any Arab or African country, and it is noteworthy that Russia is the largest exporter of wheat in the world.

T/S

ANHA