Russia hits Ukraine with sanctions
In response to Ukrainian sanctions, Moscow has published a list of 322 individuals and 68 businesses that have allegedly damaged the interests of Russia and its citizens. In addition to ministers, legislators and business leaders, the list includes the son of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Media in both countries discuss whether the sanctions are justified.
We're only responding in kind
Konstantin Kosachev, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council (the Russian parliament's upper house), defends the sanctions against Ukraine in a Facebook post reprinted by Echo of Moscow:
“First of all this is nothing but a response to the limitations imposed against our citizens and companies. Because to leave unlawful measures against Russians unanswered would be to provoke new ones. So we have taken action against the illegitimate European and American sanctions, and this is the way to deal with any state that wants to play the sanctions game: It should be repaid in kind. ... Second, these are just economic measures, not political or diplomatic ones.”
Kiev must impose even tougher sanctions
Ukraine can't just turn the other cheek to Russia's latest sanctions, political scientist Viktor Taran explains in Unian:
“Generally speaking - let's be objective here - it was Ukraine that imposed sanctions against Russia first, although the sanctions we introduced weren't of this magnitude. The Russian list of sanctions has far surpassed ours. Now it's completely obvious that not only does Ukraine need to impose asymmetrical sanctions - it's obliged to do so. This includes measures enacted against Russian companies that are still operating and making money in Ukraine today. Our list must be longer and the sanctions must be more substantive than the Russian ones - that is vital.”
No real damage to Ukrainian exports
Strana is surprised to see that none of the companies that do a lot of business with Russia are affected by the sanctions:
“As it turns out, the majority of the companies on the blacklist either don't export to the Russian Federation or their exports to Russia are very limited. So the closing of the Russian market won't have any real impact either on them or on the Ukrainian economy. And by contrast for some reason those companies that profit from exporting to Russia are not on the 'blacklist', meaning that they can continue to sell their goods in the neighbouring state unhindered.”