Russia has restricted imports of Turkish peaches following Ankara's statements regarding Ukraine
Russian authorities imposed a ban on imports of certain stone fruits from Turkey following Ankara’s statements regarding its readiness to join in providing security guarantees for Ukraine. Moscow’s decision coincided with Turkey’s increased support for international initiatives involving NATO allies.
The restrictions apply to products from five Turkish companies, including apricots, cherries, sweet cherries, peaches, and nectarines. Russian authorities explained the decision by citing the alleged “systematic detection of quarantine pests” in the shipments, but did not specify exactly which organisms were involved.
Notably, news of the ban emerged just a few hours after a meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga in Kyiv.
Following the talks, Fidan stated that Turkey is ready to join international security guarantees for Ukraine and, together with its NATO allies, lead the maritime component of this system.
In addition, the Turkish minister emphasized that Ankara supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and does not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea.
At the same time, Turkey is not the largest supplier of stone fruits to Russia. However, it remains the leading exporter of citrus fruits to the Russian market and ranks second in watermelon and melon shipments.
Earlier, Turkey proposed that Ukraine and Russia conclude an energy and maritime truce.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that if Russia ceases its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Ukraine will respond in kind. At the same time, he expressed doubt regarding the possibility of Russia announcing a general mobilization in the near future, noting that he does not have complete information on this matter.
The U.S. is once again proposing an energy truce.
