Russia will ramp up IT products exchange with China amid a looming trade war with the West, says the online news outlet Lenta.ru.

      According to Communications Minister Nikolay Nikiforov, Moscow will supply more of domestic software to Beijing in exchange for Chinese hardware.

      In his personal Twitter account, the minister wrote Russia is set to receive more servers, storage systems and other accessories from China.

      The Asia pivot has become a priority in Russia’s foreign policy after a bitter dispute with the West over the future of Ukraine.

      Russia has come under intense criticism after incorporating Crimea earlier in March.

      The EU and the US slapped several rounds of sanctions, targeting Russia’s high-profile politicians, businessmen with close ties to the Kremlin as well as businesses and whole industries.

      Russia has retaliated with a stop list of its own and introduced a food embargo, forcing European farmers, including from Poland and Greece, to ask Brussels for aid.

      The Russian government is considering new possible sanctions against the US and the EU if they introduce a new round of restrictions over Russia’s alleged role in the Ukraine crisis, says Vedomosti newspaper.

      According to the business daily, Russia may ban industrial goods but it will depend on the steps of the West.

      Earlier, Russia-IC reported that the Russian government introduced a food imports ban from the countries that issued sanctions against Russia.

      Also, the Association of European Businesses called on both the EU and Russia to refrain from any further sanctions to protect investors.

      The group, which unites some 600 enterprises, has expressed its concern with the deteriorating trade ties between Moscow and Brussels.

      In an official letter, the Association makes it clear that restrictions will hit the EU economies and narrow the choice for Russian consumers.