McDonalds could be barred from Russia in response to US sanctions

Russia is considering banning McDonalds as tensions rise between East and West, international media has reported.

The fast food giant has been in Russia for more than 20 years.

It opened its first restaurant in Moscow on January 31, 1990 - less than three months after the destruction of the Berlin Wall.

However, with relations between Russia and the US strained over the Kremlin's suspected support of rebel separatists in Ukraine, and the destruction of flight MH17, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been attempting to whip up a nationalist fervour among his people.

The US responded to allegations of Russian involvement with the militants with increased sanctions.

Reuters reported the first moves against McDonalds in Russia came from a health watchdog that accused the hamburger chain of sanitation violations and in a statement said the restaurant had deceived customers about the nutritional value of its food.

However, McDonalds had not received any communication from the health watchdog.

Reuters quoted a court official as saying there would be a preliminary hearing on the matter in August.

McDonalds operates about 400 restaurants in Russia.