Crimean winemakers, targeted by Western sanctions, have asked Russian officials to limit imports of alcohol from Europe to try to boost sales, ITAR-Tass news agency reported Thursday.
In a letter from Yanina Pavlenko, the head of the Crimea Bureau of Grapes and Wine, to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the organization wrote: "These fair measures would allow Crimean winemakers to compensate for the negative effects from EU sanctions while giving Russia's wine industry a boost."
Pavlenko, who also heads the Crimean factory that makes sparkling wine Novy Svet, could not be reached for immediate comment.
The factory is on the EU sanctions list together with a producers' association of 'Massandra' wines and the Azov distillery plant.
The EU banned all imports from Crimea in June as part of? its nonrecognition policy toward the? "illegally" annexed region.
The sanctions have also prevented European-made corks from being imported for Crimean wine bottles.
Pavlenko? told ITAR-Tass previously that such measures could provide Crimeans with another golden business opportunity — planting the trees used for corks, as the Crimean climate is ideal for their growth.
Material from The Moscow Times is included in this report.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.