MOSCOW, May 30. /TASS/. Russia’s Federation Council has unanimously approved the law on counter-sanctions in response to unfriendly actions by the United States and other countries.
The government is empowered to introduce on the basis of the Russian president’s instructions various countermeasures provided they do not apply to vital goods not manufactured in Russia and other countries. Corresponding decisions may also be made by the president on the basis of proposals from the Security Council. The government terminates the counter-measures if the circumstances that had served as the reason for taking them are eliminated.
The bill was proposed by a group of lower house members led by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, on April 13 and adopted in the third reading on May 22. It had sparked lively debate and some of its provisions drew strong criticism. Between the first and second readings the bill underwent considerable amendments.
Amended version
The names of specific branches of the economy, goods and services were removed from the bill and the list of possible counter-measures was reduced.
Companies from the United States and other unfriendly countries will be prohibited from participating on state purchase contracts and privatization of public assets.
The Cabinet of Ministers is empowered to terminate or suspend international cooperation with unfriendly countries and organizations under their control.
Also, the Russian government can prohibit or restrict export-import operations with the United States and other unfriendly countries. The counter-measures against Russian sanctions do not apply to goods that Russian or foreign nationals may bring into the country for personal use.
The law will take effect as of the moment of its official publication.