By Emre Gurkan Abay
MOSCOW (AA) — Russia on Thursday announced a six-month ban on gasoline exports, effective March 1.
In a statement, the country's government said measures were taken to maintain stability in the country's fuel market.
The decision does not include shipments made through intergovernmental agreements, including to member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Wednesday that Moscow could lift its ban on exports of the fuel early if the domestic market is saturated.
Russia briefly imposed a gasoline export ban in September to combat rising domestic fuel prices, lifting it after two months.