Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned or curbed agricultural imports from countries imposing sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine.

In a decree published on the Kremlin website, he ordered the measures to be introduced for one year.

Government departments were instructed to come up with a list of products subject to the order.

Russia has imposed import bans on other states in the past, but normally on grounds of public health.

Russia has been at loggerheads with the US and the EU over the Ukraine crisis over the past few months. US and EU has already imposed some sanctions against Russia earlier, especially on certain individuals.

However, the crash of Malaysian Airlines MH17 made these countries to go for more sweeping sanctions on Russia. Ukraine, US and EU accuse Russian backed rebels of attacking the plane and Russia has been accused of supplying the rebels with arms.

(With inputs from BBC)