MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree extending an embargo on agricultural products from Western countries for another two years, local media reported on Wednesday.

The embargo, which will run from Jan 1, 2025 to Dec 31, 2026, marks the first time the extension has exceeded one year.

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Originally enacted in August 2014 in retaliation for Western sanctions over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the ban affects products from the United States, the EU, Australia, Norway, and Canada. The restrictions were later expanded to other European countries, including Ukraine.

It is reported that Putin has praised the import ban for spurring Russia's agricultural growth.