Poland may slap a ban on Russian coal to counter Moscow’s retaliatory food embargo introduced earlier in August that hit hard Polish farmers.

      The opposition party PiS has urged the Prime Minister to consider such a move to save the local coal industry that has been struggling after an increase of cheaper Russian coal.

      Poland buys 2.5 million tons of Kuzbass coal, which now accounts for 40 percent of the local market.

      The adverse effects of the step have been considered in Kuzbass, a coal-rich region in Russia’s Siberia. The local energy company that exports the coal says it can diversify its exports when and if it becomes necessary.

      This is the latest development in what has been a hot summer of sanctions after Russia incorporated Crimea in March.

      The EU and the US slapped several rounds of travel bans and financial restrictions, 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.