Russian restrictions on imports of food products produced by 14 Finnish dairies and meat packers are taking effect from Friday. Negotiations on the dispute are not scheduled to begin until Friday next week. Meanwhile, companies, which have grown accustomed to a lucrative market next door are struggling to cope with the situation.

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev returned to Russian Wednesday after a second round of discussions with Finnish President Tarja Halonen at the Finnish President’s summer residence Kultaranta. Medvedev arrived in Finland on Tuesday for a two-day visit. Also taking part in Wednesday's talks was Finnish Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi.

Talks are to be held in Finland next week in the dispute that is expected to see a ban imposed on some Finnish food imports to Russia on Friday.