Russia to lift its response restrictive measures with regard to EU only if EU cancels its own – Chizhov

Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, has declined to comment on media leaks and forecasts concerning possible extension by the EU of its restrictive measures with regard to Russia over the situation in Ukraine.

"I am not taking part in these speculations. My work is different. My post does not allow me to do this," the high-ranking Russian diplomat said in an interview with Interfax in Brussels.

When asked whether Russia would keep its restrictive measures on food imports from EU countries if the EU prolongs its sanctions, Chizhov said: "The answer is yes. But, at the same time, if the European Union cancels its measures, we will cancel our response measures as well."

When responding to a question whether Russia's restrictive measures on a number of food imports from EU countries, for example Greece, could continue to be reviewed because of, among other reasons, the suspension of fruit and vegetable imports from Turkey, the Russian diplomat said that, "unfortunately, any individual regime for individual countries cannot be considered."

"Russia is a member of the WTO (World Trade Organization). And WTO norms do not permit this. I believe that, in such a situation, the EU would not hesitate to draw the attention of the WTO as well as our attention to the need to abide by these norms. However, there are options, which have been discussed, but one cannot speak about direct deliveries. These are other options, including the establishment of joint ventures on the territory of Russia. And it is also possible to speak about individual commodity items [that would apply], naturally, to all countries of the EU. But if this individual commodity item does not grow in Finland and Sweden, but grows in Greece, this is no longer our problem," Chizhov said.