Emporia halts imports of Russian Legend of Kremlin vodka as Ukraine tensions escalate

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 01 May, 2014

Drinks distributor Emporia Brands has called a halt to imports of the Russian Parliament's official vodka Legend of Kremlin as the dispute between the European Union and Russian Federation continues.

The EU condemned Russia's recent military intervention in Ukraine Crimea region as an "invasion".

In the last few days Ukraine has announced it is on full "combat alert" as around 40,000 Russian troops have gathered at its borders. Interim Ukrainian president Oleksandr Turchynov warned that "the threat of Russia starting a war against mainland Ukraine is real". During a ministerial meeting Turchynov told regional governors Ukraine's police and security forces were helpless in the face of unrest in two eastern regions bordering Russia. He admitted that in some cases they are even cooperating with pro-Russian militants who have seized government buildings and taken people hostage.

Given the tension in the regions, Emporia Brands has decided to put a stop to further imports of Legend of Kremlin, which is the official vodka of the Russian Federation Parliament The Duma, as well as the Kremlin. The vodka is produced in Kaliningrad in the Russian Federation.

Emporia said distribution will continue while stocks remain in the UK, and a company spokesman has confirmed that the situation will be reviewed at a future date depending on the resolution of current issues between the Russian Federation and the European Union.

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