You're reading: Medvedev says decisions to extend or lift counter-sanctions to be based on actions of partners

ST. PETERSBURG - Russia's actions to lift the food embargo, imposed in response to the sanctions introduced by the European Union and some other countries, will be reciprocal in nature and will be based on the actions of Russia's partners.

“Soon we face a decision either to extend these retaliatory measures or not to extend them. It’s clear that our actions, and I can speak directly about this – it’s clear that they will be reciprocal and based on the actions of our partners from other countries,” Medvedev said at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.

Despite the events of the past year [the imposition of sanctions against Russia], there can be no talk of a crisis in international law, he said.

“More likely, this is in fact a crisis of relations between the countries and a crisis in the relation of the states to international law,” Medvedev said.

The response to this must be a return to a uniform understanding of international legal norms, primarily the provisions in the UN charter and the international conventions that defend human rights.

“On that basis, trust in the generally accepted principles of law at the international level must be restored. Very much here depends on our professional solidarity, because the legal community understands that there is simply no alternative to universal legal instruments. And we have this set of instruments,” he said.