|
MOSCOW/KIEV, Nov. 1-- Russia-Ukraine relations have soured for years and could further deteriorate after Moscow rolled out large-scale economic sanctions against Kiev on Thursday. The sanctions, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, include freezing non-cash funds, uncertificated securities and property controlled by the blacklisted in Russia and banning their withdrawal of capital from Russia, according to a decree singed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday. "The decree is aimed at countering unfriendly actions against Russian citizens and legal entities on the part of Ukraine and at lifting restrictions imposed earlier by the Ukrainian side on these persons, as well as normalizing bilateral relations," said a government statement. The sanctions target Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's elder son Olexiy, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Andriy Parubiy, key ministers and important businessmen. The blacklist also includes EastOne Group and Toledo Mining Corporation registered in Britain and Ferrexpo registered in Switzerland. The Russian government said it could lift the sanctions if Ukraine cancels its own restrictive measures against Russia. Relations between Kiev and Moscow have been deteriorating since early 2017 over Crimea and armed conflicts in eastern Ukraine. Kiev has imposed a series of sanctions against Russia since then. According to Russian media, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Russia since 2017, affecting 1,228 people and 468 entities, including officials, businessmen and media outlets. | 
