In order to resolve its emerging fruit and vegetable crisis with Russia, Turkey is reported to be mounting a major diplomatic offensive, using all channels and even personal contacts between officials, Turkish minister of state Kursad Tuzmen said.

The Turkish press, has already estimated potential losses at $220 million. And Tuzmen was quoted as saying: "We make use of all the diplomatic channels and our friends in a bid to handle the Russian embargo on the import of fruits and vegetables.”

On May 30 Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection (Rosselkhoznadzor) banned the import of plant-growing products from Turkey.

The Russian agricultural ministry cited "systematic violations of the Russian phytosanitary norms by the Turkish side."

The ministry claimed that flower thrips was discovered in a batch of flowers from Turkey on May 19 and 20. In addition, the Turkish side has not proved the validity of the accompanying certificates, according to the Russian ministry.

The Turkish embassy in Moscow said the ban will "produce a negative impact on the Turkish producers and exporters of plant-growing products, rid Russian consumers of Turkish products, known for their high quality and acceptable price."

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