All news

Moscow does not plan tit-for-tat sanctions against Switzerland - minister

"We have not discussed any tit-for-tat measures," he said

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, March 14. /TASS/. Moscow does not plan measures in response to Switzerland’s decision to introduce tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation, Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulukayev told reporters on Saturday.

"We have not discussed any tit-for-tat measures," he said.

The Federal Council (government) of Switzerland approved on March 6 additional measures aimed at prevention of the use of the Swiss Confederation territory for bypassing the EU anti-Russian sanctions.

The website of the government of Switzerland reported then that the country expanded sanctions against Russia, closing its territory to 28 individuals and entities from the EU "black list" and, in particular, prohibiting Swiss entrepreneurs to have business contacts with them. The Federal Council decided to expand measures to prevent the circumvention of international sanctions, the statement says.

According to the decision, in addition to the EU sanctions of August 27, 2014, Switzerland has introduced trade restrictions against Crimea and Sevastopol, adopted by the European Union in December 2014. Any investment activity in the region is prohibited, says the decision. This applies to investment, tourism and a number of other sectors of the economy.

"In view of the situation in Ukraine, and following decisions taken by the EU, the Federal Council today decided to extend its measures to prevent the circumvention of international sanctions. It added the measures decreed by the EU last December following non-recognition of the annexation of the Crimea and Sevastopol to the ordinance on international sanctions of 27 August 2014. The Federal Council also added to Annex 3 of the ordinance the names of 28 further persons and entities who have had financial and travel restrictions imposed on them in the EU. The amended ordinance with supplemented annexes comes into effect at 6 pm," March 6, says the decision.