Poland Seeks to Export Apples Banned by Russia to US

Poland is asking the United States to import its apples in order to mitigate the economic hit Russia's ban will have on its economy.

Russia closed its borders to Polish agriculture in retaliation for its eastern European neighbor's decision to support the recent U.S.-EU sanctions regime.

"We are interested in a quick decision because the situation is extraordinary," said Poland's ambassador to Washington, Ryszard Schnepf, the Polish press agency PAP reported last week.

Poland exported around US$4 million worth of fruits and vegetables last year, with apples accounting for about 90 percent of the total, according to the Polish government.

The Polish ambassador said that there is a follow-up meeting with U.S. officials scheduled for August 18.