MOSCOW, April 16. /TASS/. The State Duma will study a draft law on Russia’s counter-sanctions against the US at the first reading on May 15. The State Duma Council made this decision on Monday at its first special session, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Economic Policy and Industry Vladimir Gutenev told TASS.

"The first reading is due on May 15," he said, answering a corresponding question.

The bill "On measures for influencing (countering) unfriendly actions by the US and (or) other foreign states" was submitted on April 13 by the leaders of all parliamentary factions and State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. It was developed "as a retaliatory measure against challenges mounted by the US and its officials in the form of unfriendly and unconstructive actions on the introduction of ‘sanctions’ against Russia in general, its citizens and legal entities," the explanatory note says.

In accordance with the draft law, the Russian government "is vested with the authority to introduce some measures, both economic and political ones, chiefly directed at the removal by the US of the so-called unfriendly acts." Among them are bans on deliveries of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, agricultural and industrial products, technological equipment and program software. Their imports to Russia from the US and countries that support Washington’s policy "for personal use" are the only exception.

The initiative also contains restrictions for cooperation in the nuclear and rocket engine industries, as well as in the aircraft industry. "Blacklists" for Americans banning their entry to Russia will also be drawn.

It was stated that the cabinet of ministers would take retaliatory measures following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision. A similar procedure is stipulated for possible abolishment of counter-sanctions.