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Can Turkish lemons soothe Ankara-Moscow relations?

Turks are wondering why Russia is embargoing everything but lemons and nuts.

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Lemons are offered for sale, each for the price of 20 rubles ($0.27), at a fruit and vegetable kiosk in Moscow, March 11, 2012. — REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

In Turkey, when you say “wine,” people think of France, and when you say “vodka,” it is Russia that comes to mind. In Russia, it is Turkey that comes to mind when they think of the lemon — the indispensable mixer. Moreover, the lemon is the natural home cure for the flu, colds and runny noses.

After Turkey shot down the Russian plane, Russia stopped all fresh vegetable and fruit imports from Turkey. However, they did not include lemons and nuts on the list of banned commodities.

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