Russia bans imports of vegetables and strawberries from Armenia. Elections there are less than two weeks away.

Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance is banning imports of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, herbs, and strawberries from Armenia, effective May 30, calling the restrictions “temporary.”

“The decision was made in connection with the increased frequency of violations involving shipments of Armenian fruit and vegetable products to Russia and in order to ensure phytosanitary safety. The current situation poses a threat to the phytosanitary conditions of the country’s territory,” the agency said.

From May 21 to 27, Rosselkhoznadzor inspected Armenian agricultural enterprises and found quarantine organisms in greenhouse facilities. The agency also said a large number of vegetables from Armenia are being supplied by companies “with unknown ownership structures that are evading phytosanitary quarantine controls.”

Russian regulatory agencies regularly impose bans on imports of various products from countries with which Moscow’s relations are deteriorating.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 7. Against this backdrop, and due to Armenia’s attempts to draw closer to the European Union, relations between Moscow and Yerevan have worsened. Russia accuses Prime Minister Pashinyan of pursuing a pro-Western course and is demanding that Samvel Karapetyan — a businessman and head of the Russian industrial and construction group Tashir — be allowed to run in the elections. In recent weeks, Moscow has begun imposing restrictions on imports of Armenian products, having already banned the import of flowers, mineral water, and alcoholic beverages from three producers.