Fruitless

Russia slapped a ban on the import of all fruit and vegetables from Poland in the latest of a series of trade restrictions linked to a deepening showdown with the West over Ukraine. 

Critics have long accused the Russian government of using bans as a political weapons at a time of increased tensions with the West.

The latest ban comes after the European Union and the United States introduced sectoral sanctions against Russia, dramatically raising stakes in the months-long Ukraine conflict. EU member Poland is one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine's pro-Western course.