Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed doubt Apr. 14 that the West would lift the sanctions it imposed against Russia in the foreseeable future, adding that Moscow would extend retaliatory measures, the news agency Sputnik International reported.
"I don't think that our western partners would lift sanctions against our country soon, despite the fact that the Minsk agreements on Ukraine are being implemented," Putin said during his annual direct line session. "This means we shall hold corresponding restrictions on allowing their food products on our markets in place."