MOSCOW, November 1. /TASS/. The Russian response measures against Ukraine can be expended, the Russian government said on Thursday.
"It is important to understand that these measures are not final. Like any list, it can be expanded or reduced, even removed from the agenda. Everything will depend on the future strategy of the Ukrainian leadership," the Russian government said.
Earlier Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a government decree introducing special economic measures against 322 Ukrainian citizens and 68 companies.
"Special economic measures are introduced in relation to individuals and legal entities of Ukraine, which include freezing non-cash funds, non-documentary securities and property in Russia and banning transfer of funds (withdrawal of capital) outside Russia. Sanctions will be extended to 322 individuals and 68 legal entities," the Russian government said.
The list includes judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the 8th convocation, major Ukrainian businessmen, officials of the presidential administration of Ukraine, heads of executive authorities of Ukraine and large Ukrainian companies, and legal entities controlled by Ukraine’s top businessmen, the statement said.
Russia's countermeasures against 322 Ukrainian citizens and 68 companies are aimed at countering Kiev’s unfriendly actions against Russian citizens and companies and can be lifted if Ukraine lifts its sanctions, the Russian Government said.
Thus, Russia’s countermeasures "are aimed at countering unfriendly actions against Russian citizens and legal entities from Ukraine and normalizing bilateral relations." "The Russian government reserves the right to cancel special economic measures if Ukraine abolishes its restrictive measures imposed on Russian citizens and legal entities," the government said.