The Lithuanian government has decided to compensate part of the losses incurred by dairy producers due to the loss of the Russian market as a result of retaliatory measures of Moscow to the EU sanctions.

As reported to journalists, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, earmarked for that purpose €13.3 million

"The dairy sector of our country still feels the negative consequences of the Russian embargo on the Lithuanian production. Financial support for the milk producers will serve to stabilize the situation", — he said.

The head of government has repeatedly said that Lithuania suffered the most significant among all the EU member States financial losses due to Russian food embargo. In 2015, only the milk producers lost €75 million.

According to previously stipulated regulations, the government obtained the agreement of the European Commission that will direct in compensation the same amount, which for its part allocates Brussels. The decision on financial assistance in the amount of €13.3 million from both sides with the European Commission agreed in July 2016.

In August 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree "On application of certain special economic measures to ensure security of the Russian Federation in response to sanctions of Western countries. On this basis, the government of Russia introduced a temporary ban on imports of beef, pork, vegetables and fruits, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and most dairy products from USA, EU countries, Canada, Australia and Norway.