Putin Issues Economic Sanctions Against Turkey

Following the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has issued a series of economic sanctions against Turkey. According to the Associated Press, Putin's order was issued on Saturday, December 7, and includes a ban on the import of certain goods from Turkey, as well as a prohibition on the extension of work contracts for Turkish citizens working in Russia. The decree published on the Kremlin's website does not specify the sanctioned goods but emphasizes that charter flights from Russia to Turkey will cease and travel agencies will no longer be allowed to offer travel packages that include stays in Turkey. The Russian President's order was released just hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed deep regret over the downing of the Russian warplane, stating that 'we wish this incident had not occurred,' while simultaneously insisting that if Turkey's sovereignty over its borders is compromised, there will be no remaining country. However, Erdoğan still refused to officially apologize to Russia for the incident as requested by Moscow. The Russian sanctions against Turkey were announced on a day when the Turkish Foreign Ministry also urged its citizens to refrain from unnecessary travel to Russia.