The standoff between Russia and neighboring Ukraine reached new heights — or depths — Tuesday as health officials in Moscow announced a ban on baby laundry detergent made by Ukraine’s leading producer, citing what they said were violations of sanitary and epidemiological regulations.
The ban is the latest in a tit-for-tat economic battle between the two former trading partners, fueled by Kiev’s charges that Russian President Vladimir Putin is providing aid and soldiers to separatist pro-Russian rebels battling the Ukrainian government in the country’s east. Russia has already banned other Ukrainian products for alleged safety violations, including dairy products, chocolate, juices, canned food and alcohol, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.
“Synthetic baby laundry detergents of the Ushasty Nyan series do not comply with toxicity standards,” Anna Popova, chief of the Russian health and consumer rights oversight service, said, telling Interfax Monday the ban will go into effect June 15.
Ms. Popova’s agency has also ongoing investigations into more than a dozen other suspect Ukrainian imports, including perfume, aftershave lotions and disposable diapers.
Ukrainian firms are increasingly turning to Europe and the West and the conflict with Russia hardens. Ukraine’s biggest salt mine said earlier this month that sales to Western Europe have surged 35 percent this year since Russia blocked its exports there in January.
• David R. Sands can be reached at dsands@washingtontimes.com.
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