Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law condemning the fishing agreement with the UK. The relevant document was published on the Official Publication of Legal Regulations portal.
The text of the document says, “To condemn the fisheries agreement signed in Moscow between the government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 25 May 1956.”
21 February State Duma accepted A bill condemning the agreement with Britain that allowed the British to fish in Russia’s territory in the Barents Sea. President Putin himself initiated the project. The move was a response to sanctions and taxes imposed by London, including on Russian whitefish. Russia’s rejection of the deal could deprive Britain of its national dish, fish and chips, according to media reports.
The agreement between Moscow and London was signed in the spring of 1956; The document was signed by USSR Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Kuznetsov and British Ambassador to the USSR William Hayter. Even at the height of the Cold War, the British managed to fish in the Russian part of the Barents Sea. The agreement remained valid after the collapse of the Soviet Union; The Russian Federation became its successor.
Previously State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin explained The decision to deprive Britain of fishing in the Barents Sea.