#Iran to Capitalize on #Russia-West Standoff Over #Ukraine

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  President Vladimir Putin meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on September 13, 2013.
  Photo: Presidential Press Service / Wikimedia Commons

When President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani meet on Friday against the backdrop of Russia's slide into the abyss of Western sanctions, the two countries may find one another to be increasingly suitable economic allies... (Read more)

External Expansion, www.externalexpansion.net,

#Russia Tightens Screws on #Ukraine With Candy #ImportBan

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  The latest decision is likely to hit the Ukrainian sweet industry hard at a time when the country’s economy is in free fall.
  Photo: Pixabay

Russia’s consumer rights agency on Friday banned all imports of Ukrainian confectionery, signaling that the country has no plans to stop using trade as a weapon against countries that align themselves against the country.(Read more)

EU, US extend sanctions on Russia over ‘Ukraine violence’

Co-ordinated approach targets trade, energy, banks, technology, arms and finance sector

The new round of sanctions targets Russian oil, rather than gas, outlawing exports of oil exploration equipment to Russia. About 30 per cent of the European Union’s gas supply comes from Russia.Photograph: Luke MacGregor/Reuters

(Read more)