Lidia Kelly

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Ukraine banned Russian imports, which were its main trading partner before war. Annual imports are estimated at $6 billion. It called for other countries to do the same and impose more economic sanctions against Moscow.

“Today, we officially announced the complete suspension of all trade in goods with aggressor states,” Yulia Yulia Syrydenko, Economy Minister wrote Saturday on her Facebook page (NASDAQ:).

“No Russian Federation products can be imported onto the state’s territory from now.”

The two neighboring countries have had virtually no trade since the invasion by Russia of Ukraine in February 24th. Saturday’s action makes it legal to end imports.

Svyrydenko declared that “the enemy’s budget won’t receive these funds” which will decrease its ability to finance war.

“An example of Ukraine’s actions can be set for Western partners. It will encourage them to increase sanctions on Russia and implement the energy embargo. All Russian banks should also be isolated.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine has called repeatedly on the West for sanctions against Russia and to stop exports to Russia in protest at its military aggression.

Russia is being isolated by the West in numerous ways. On Saturday, Boris Johnson (British Prime Minister) stated that more sanctions were to be imposed on Russia.

Lidia Kelly writes and reports; Michael Perry does the editing.