Russia announces ban on all dairy imports from Ukraine, which calls the move political

Russia has announced a ban on all dairy imports from Ukraine starting next week, a move Kiev has dismissed as politically motivated.

The Russian agency in charge of agricultural products said Friday it is banning imports of Ukrainian dairy starting Monday because of numerous quality flaws found in its products. Russia is a key market for Ukrainian dairy products.

Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Ihor Shvaika described the ban to Interfax Ukraine as politically motivated. Russia lambasted Ukraine's decision to sign a treaty with the EU in June.

Russian sanitary officials have stopped imports from other countries when relations went sour. It banned wine from Georgia, and only last week officials banned fruit and vegetables from Moldova, which Moldovan officials said was retaliation for its improved relations with the European Union.