KOROLEV , Russia, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A round of Russian economic measures, designed to counter Western sanctions, will soon be unveiled, Russia's deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
Dmitry Rogozin, visiting the space research and manufacturing company Energia in the Moscow suburb of Korolev, said the measures' foremost impact will be to lessen the effects of Western European and U.S. sanctions installed after Russia's involvement in Ukraine.
Keeping Russia's space program on track will be a major goal, he said.
"We will protect ourselves in a tough, persistent and active manner," Rogozin noted. "They won't be aimed at making things worse for Western companies. It's not in our interests."
Rogozin's comments came after Russia President Vladimir Putin ordered the government Tuesday to list appropriate counter-measures to the sanctions "without detriment to (Russian) consumers." Thus far the only announced restriction has been a ban on importation of apples from Poland.
