Putin signs anti-sanction decree

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to ban or limit the import of agricultural products from countries that imposed sanctions on Moscow, the Kremlin press office said Wednesday.

The decree, which came immediately into force and could be reviewed, ordered the Russian government to compile a detailed list of products that would be banned for one year, Xinhua reported.

Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Alexei Likhachev told media that the list was ready and had to be approved by the government.

The announcement came hours after Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Russia will soon introduce a series of protective economic measures "in a tough, persistent and active manner" to counter Western sanctions.