Russia to expand sanctions against Turkish construction companies

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would expand restrictions against around 300 Turkish companies involved in the construction business in Russia.

Existing contracts would not be affected by these measures as this could harm Russia itself, Putin said at a meeting with activists of the All-Russia People's Front, a pro-Kremlin public movement, according to Sputnik International news agency.

Some 87,000 new jobs may appear in Russia after the introduction of the restrictive measures against Turkey, he said.

"According to the preliminary data, our companies could replace around 87,000 work places, but it’s important that they’re ready for this work from a professional point of view," he said.

Russian-Turkish relations deteriorated following the downing of a Russian Su-24 aircraft by a Turkish F-16 fighter jet in Syria on November 24. In the wake of the incident, Putin signed a decree imposing economic measures against Ankara.

The anti-Ankara measures, which came into effect on January 1, include bans or restrictions on the activities of Turkish organizations in Russia, and curbs on Russian companies employing Turkish citizens, especially in the construction industry.