Russia imposed a sweeping ban on agricultural products imported from the E.U. and the U.S. in a retaliatory measure designed to hit back at the economic sanctions imposed in the wake of the MH17 disaster. The Greek Ministry of Agriculture met on Wednesday afternoon following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to implement the embargo.

Mr. Putin’s retaliatory decree said food, raw materials and agricultural products would be banned for a year.  The move is in stark contrast with statements made by Sergey Dankvert, Russia’s Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance.

Ministry officials will meet again at 10 a.m. this morning to assess the potential damage the latest international developments can cause to Greek exports to Russia. The meeting, headed by the ministry’s Secretary General of International Economic Relations Panagiotis Mihalos, includes representatives from the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (SVVE), the Panhellenic Exporters Association (PSE), the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EVEA) and many more regional and professional associations, federations and chambers from all over Greece, have been invited to attend the meeting.

Apart from Greece, Russia’s decision is met with dismay among other major international fresh produce suppliers, including Poland, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and the U.S.